May 9: Dr Arathi Krishna, deputy chairperson of the NRI Forum of Karnataka, has been appointed as the first chairperson of the NRI Cell of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

Dr Arathi Krishna, who received the appointment letter from KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar today, said that the intention behind the formation of the Cell is to publicize the Congress party among NRIs around the world.

While highlighting the initiatives taken by the chief minister Siddaramaiah led Congress government of Karnataka towards the welfare of NRIs from the State, she has urged the NRIs to create awareness among their families back home to vote for the party in the upcoming assembly polls.

Daughter of Begane Ramaiah, a veteran Congress leader and former rural development minister of Karnataka, Dr Arathi Krishna has been associated with the Congress party and NRIs for a prolonged period.

Earlier she had worked as a Community Development Officer in the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, and as an Adviser in the India Development Foundation, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. She also has set up an NGO ‘Krishna Foundation’ to partake in socio-economic needs and provide improved educational facilities in remote villages of Karnataka.

Having Done her Masters in ‘political science’ from Mysore University, another masters degree in ‘international commerce and public’ from George Mason University, Washington, and an honorary doctorate from Kuvempu University.

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Varanasi: Comedian Shyam Rangeela has finally filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency on Tuesday, May 14, the last day of filing papers.

Rangeela, who intended to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi had alleged on Monday that he was being denied a nomination from the seat, as he along with several other candidates were reportedly made to wait for filling papers on May 10th and May 13th.

Shyam Rangeela, taking to his official ‘X’ handle, wrote, "With your love and support, I have completed all the requirements as per the rules and submitted the nomination. I also have full faith in the democracy of this country. Now the next two-three days are crucial. Thank you all very much for your cooperation. My electoral future rests in the hands of all election officials who are the custodians of our democracy. With the hope that they all strengthen our faith, Yours Shyam Rangeela.”

Alongside, Shyam, BJP candidate Narendra Modi, Log Party's Vinay Kumar Tripathi, BJP's Surendra Narayan Singh, independent candidates Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Reena Rai, Neha Jaiswal, Ajit Kumar Jaiswal, Ashok Kumar Pandey, Sandeep Tripathi filed their nomination papers on Tuesday.

According to the Election Commision of India, a total of 41 candidates have filed nomination papers from the Varanasi constituency.