Let UT Khader get important portfolio
Mangaluru, May 21: The demand for deputy chief minister’s position to North Karnataka in the JDS-Congress combine is becoming stronger. This demand is justifiable. If the North Karnataka needs equal share in the development, it should get the post of deputy chief minister.
In the same way, Coastal Karnataka is also important place for the Congress. Interestingly, the Congress has only three MLAs from the entire Coastal Karnataka and out of 13 constituencies in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, the Congress has got only one seat. In the last Assembly election, the Congress had 10 MLAs, but this time it has reduced to one.
It is said that Hindutva and Modi wave has worked behind this result. If it is true, UT Khader is the only person who swam against these two waves to become MLA. With this, Khader has saved the face of the Congress in the Coastal area.
Facing all challenges, Khader has won for the fourth time in a row. For this, the Congress has to encourage him. In order to induce confidence among party workers, Khader should be given an important portfolio. In the last government, Khader has drawn the attention of the entire state through his work and efficiency as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies department. He is able to handle any portfolio if given.
His plus point is that he takes people of all religions together. Even in the election, he has taken people from all communities into confidence due to which, he was supported by all sections of people. For this reason, he should be given an important portfolio as the party would require him more.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
