Tributes paid to Gandhi, Shastri on their birth anniversaries in Karnataka
Bengaluru/Mangaluru (PTI): Rich tributes were paid to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries in Karnataka on Sunday.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai joined many others to offer their floral tributes to Gandhiji on his 153rd birth anniversary.
Gehlot offered his respect to Gandhiji at Rajbhavan in the presence of the staff of the Governor House.
The Chief Minister paid his tributes at Gandhiji's statue situated between Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha. He also offered floral tributes to Shastri at Vidhana Soudha.
Bommai also inaugurated an event to mark the occasion and gave away Mahatma Gandhi Seva Prashasti-Karnataka for the year 2022.
BJP Karnataka state president and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, State Minister for Energy, Kannada and Cultue V Sunil Kumar and other leaders paid homage to Gandhiji.
The leaders offered floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in front of the town hall in Mangaluru.
Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath also joined them in paying homage to Gandhiji.
The new footpath constructed in front of the town hall was inaugurated by Sunil Kumar, who is also Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge minister.
City Mayor Jayanand Anchan and deputy mayor Poornima were among those present.
The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Karnataka organised various events to mark the occasion.
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Vijay secures majority support, set to stake claim to form Tamil Nadu govt
Chennai: After four days of political uncertainty and intense negotiations in Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay is learnt to have secured the numbers required to form the government, sources said.
Supporters gathered outside Vijay’s residence in Chennai on Friday evening, raising slogans in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam soon after reports emerged that the party had managed to secure majority support.
Sources said Vijay is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar on Friday evening to stake claim to form the government. The meeting is likely to take place around 6 pm.
In its electoral debut in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK won 108 out of the 234 seats, dealing a major blow to the 62-year political dominance of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
However, Governor Arlekar had reportedly made it clear that the party would not be invited to form the government without proving a clear majority. Even after two rounds of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday, the Governor is learnt to have maintained his stand that letters of support from at least 118 MLAs must be submitted in the 234-member Assembly.
Apart from Vijay, TVK had the backing of 107 MLAs. Vijay had contested from Tiruchy (East) and Perambur constituencies and won both seats, meaning he would have to resign from one seat before taking oath. This increased the need for additional support.
Amid the political developments, five MLAs from the Congress party, which reportedly moved away from the DMK-led alliance, extended support to Vijay. Vijay also held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
The VCK, CPI(M) and CPI had so far been allies of the DMK. At the same time, political discussions intensified in the state over speculation that the DMK could even explore a post-poll understanding with its long-time rival AIADMK to prevent an alternative government from taking shape.
Reports had been circulating since Friday afternoon that the VCK and Left parties were likely to support Vijay. Sources later said that the VCK, CPI(M) and CPI agreed to extend the support of two MLAs each, helping TVK cross the required majority mark.
All eyes are now on the Governor’s next move and the official announcement regarding the formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.
