Will try to get more flood relief funds, says CM Yediyurappa
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday said his government would try to get additional funds from the Centre for the flood-hit districts of the state.
The statement comes a day after the central government approved Rs 577.74 crore as financial assistance to the state, from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
"We will take efforts to bring more funds," the Chief Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
Yediyurappa was replying to a query whether the amount was inadequate. This year, floods hit the northern parts of the state thrice battering the region badly.
The state, according to government sources, has incurred a loss of about Rs 35,000 crore.
When asked about his meeting with JD(S) second-in-command and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Yediyurappa said the meeting was regarding the district cooperative bank in Mandya.
"Kumaraswamy had come to meet me to discuss the district cooperative bank of Mandya. There was no other reason behind it," the Chief Minister said.
He did not elaborate what was the topic of discussion.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
