Bhubaneswar, June 26: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for holding simultaneous parliamentary and assembly elections in the country.

"Elections are essential in democracy. We are elected to work for the people. When elections are held throughout the year, it affects the development works. Therefore, we support the suggestion of the Prime Minister for simultaneous elections. This will serve the country well," said the Chief Minister.

The Prime Minister had urged all parties to consider this suggestion of holding simultaneous polls by rising above political considerations.

Modi cited various reasons, including huge expenditure, utilisation of government staff and disruption of education, in the conduct of separate polls.

Odisha will face both general and assembly polls in 2019.

Law Commission Chairman Justice B.S. Chauhan has invited Patnaik, who is also President of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), to attend a meeting on July 7-8 in Delhi to share valuable thoughts and suggestions on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the country.

"I will request you to kindly participate in the interaction and share your valuable thoughts and suggestions, which could enable us in weighing the pros and cons of the subject," said Chauhan.

Sources said BJD MP Pinaki Mishra will attend the meeting.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Mangaluru: Mangaluru police have arrested a 50-year-old man from Kozhikode, Kerala, in connection with the murder of a 39-year-old man near Panambur Beach in Mangaluru. The accused, identified as Dharmaraj Suvarna, a resident of Thotabengre in Mangaluru, was arrested on Thursday night by a team of officers from the Panambur Police Station.

The victim, Muttu Basavaraj Vaddar, also known as Mudukappa, hailed from Amingada in Bagalkot. He had reportedly been on friendly terms with Suvarna. According to the police, the incident that led to the murder began over a dispute involving a mobile phone. Suvarna had recently purchased a new phone, which was borrowed by Mudukappa. Mudukappa allegedly damaged the device and did not return it, leading to escalating tensions between the two men.

ALSO READ: Two students drown in lake in Byndoor

On Sunday, the disagreement culminated in a violent altercation, during which Suvarna allegedly struck Mudukappa with a wooden log, resulting in his death. Mudukappa's body was later discovered near the shore at Thotabengre estuary, raising concerns among local residents.

Following the discovery of the body, the Panambur Police registered a case and launched an investigation. Acting on credible information about Suvarna's whereabouts, the police team tracked him to Chombala in Kozhikode. The operation, carried out within the Chombala Police Station limits, led to Suvarna's arrest late at night.

Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru.