UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi reminds BJP of Vajpayee defeat in 2004
Rae Bareli (UP), Apr 11: Top Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "not invincible" with the former reminding the BJP about the defeat of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 despite the party's 'India Shining' campaign.
Without naming Modi, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress president, also called Modi an "arrogant" leader.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were talking to reporters after the UPA chairperson filed her nomination papers from the Rae Bareli constituency seeking a fifth term from her home turf in Uttar Pradesh.
When Sonia Gandhi was asked to comment on BJP believing that Modi was invincible, she replied, "not at all...don't forget 2004... Vajpayee Ji was invincible but we won", recalling the 'India Shining' campaign of the BJP.
Vajpayee, who headed the BJP-led NDA government, was defeated in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi-led Congress, despite predictions that he would win another term with his 'India Shining' campaign.
Rahul Gandhi also intensified his attack on the prime minister, a day after the Supreme Court agreed to hear review petitions on its Rafale verdict and said he was "not invincible" which will be proved after the Lok Sabha elections.
"There have been many many people in Indian history who have had the arrogance to believe that they are invincible that they are bigger than people of India.. Mr. Narendra Modi has done nothing for the people of India in the last 5 years. His invisibility will be in full view after election results," he said.
In a setback to the Centre, the Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to hear petitions for a review of its verdict in the Rafale fighter jet deal on the basis of "leaked" secret documents by dismissing its preliminary objections.
Buoyed by the apex court's decision, the Congress president once again challenged the prime minister for an open debate with him on the Rafale deal and said he was "ready to go to Race Course Road (PM's residence)" for it.
"I have to say to Modi ji give only one answer .. he can do whatever he feels like... I have done nothing wrong but let him give answer to one question why has the contract been given to Anil Ambani, whom he calls his friend, his brother and who has no experience in making aircraft," Rahul said when asked to comment on the continued attacks on him by the prime minister.
"He should also explain that now Supreme Court has started investigation.... he should also explain why French president said that Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India told him that Rafale contract will be given to Anil," he said.
To another question, Rahul Gandhi said, "I am perfectly happy for Mr. Modi to take any action he wants on me ....he is in charge right now but I would also like Mr. Narendra Modi to answer three of four questions ...why the contract was given to Anil Ambani."
"I am ready for an open debate with Prime Minister wherever he wants... I will come to the Race Course Road .. and I challenge him for a debate on corruption. I guarantee you that the day there is a debate on corruption he will not see eye to eye with people of the country and it would be 'Doodh ka doodh and Pani ka pani'(made clear) and that day it will be known that Chowkidar chor hai," the Congress president added.
The Congress has alleged massive irregularities in the Rafale deal. The government and the Anil Ambani-owned company have strongly rejected allegations of irregularities.
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Karnataka Union of Working Journalists' (KUWJ) announces 2024 annual awards
VB scribes Yogesh Malur, Abdul Rahiman Talapady among awardees
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) has announced its annual awards for the year 2024, recognising journalists across various categories.
Vartha Bharati journalists Yogesh Mallur and Abdul Rahiman Talapady are among the awardees. Yogesh Mallur has been selected for the G. Narayanaswamy Award for Best Rural Reporting, while Abdul Rahiman Talapady has been honoured under the Tagadoor Kamalamma Veeregowda Award for reporting on farmers’ livelihoods and distress.
The awards will be presented at the 40th State Journalists’ Conference to be held in Bidar on April 11 and 12, KUWJ state president Shivanand Tagadur and general secretary G.C. Lokesh said in a release.
Details of the awards:
1. G. Narayanaswamy Award (Best Rural Report)
Yogesh Mallur, Vartha Bharati, Bengaluru
K.A. Ismail, Shakti, Kodagu
2. Patel Bhairahanumayya Award (Best Humanitarian Report)
Mallaiah Polampally, Kannada Prabha, Shahpur, Yadgir
Ravikumar Kaggannavara, Kannamma, Dharwad
3. Giridhar Award (Best Crime Report)
Basavaraja Kattimani, Kannada Prabha, Hunasagi, Yadgiri
P.K. Ravikumar, Vijayavani, Mysuru
4. B.S. Venkataram Award (Best Scoop Report)
Odesh Sakleshpur, Prajavani, Ramanagara
Mahesh Munnayyanvara Math, Prajavani, Mahalingapur, Bagalkot
5. K.A. Nettakalappa Award (Best Sports Report)
Narayanarao Deshpande, Samyukta Karnataka, Hubballi
Prasad Shettigar, Vijayavani, Bengaluru
6. Khadri Shamanna Award (Best Political Criticism)
Dayashankar Maili, Sudi Mula, Mysuru
Shankar Pagoji, Udayakala
7. Mangala M.C. Varghese Award (Weekly Newspaper Article)
M.G. Nayak, Sudha (Prajavani), Kumta, Uttara Kannada
Venkatesh S. Sampa, Editor, Sampada Saalu
8. Tagadoor Kamalamma Veeregowda Award (Farmers’ Life and Suffering)
Jayaramu, Samyukta Karnataka, Channarayapatna
Abdul Rahiman Talapady, Vartha Bharati, Mangaluru
Indira, Hospet Times, Hospet
9. R.L. Vasudevarao Award (Forest Report)
P. Paramesh, Sudi Mula, Manvi, Raichur
Koushalya D. Falanakar, Gumbaz Express, Vijayapura
10. R.L. Vasudevarao Award (Wildlife Report)
Nagaraj Navimane, Vijaya Karnataka, Mysuru
M. Narasimha Murthy, Kannada Prabha, Bengaluru South
11. B.G. Thimmappaiah Award (Economically Weaker Section Report)
12.
Rajesh Shetty Dota, Vijayavani, Mangaluru
Sharat Kumar S., Udayavani, Shivamogga
12. Mandibele Shamanna Memorial Award (Rural People’s Life Report)
Shankar Katte Malalawadi, Janamitra, Hunsur
Shivaraj Sunkada, Mudgal, Lingasugur, Raichur
Prashant Pade, Udayavani, Kundapura, Udupi
13. Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Memorial Award (Bengaluru Urban and Rural)
H.P. Praveen
Prashanth Rippanpet
V.S. Honnachar, Leaders Weekly
Zukriya, Times of Karnataka
14. Yajaman T. Narayanappa Memorial Award (Best Agricultural Report at District Level)
Venkatesh Gudeppanavara, Vijayavani, Mudhol, Bagalkot
Manjunath N., Bellary, Kavithal, Raichur
15. Nadigera Krishna Raya Award
Sathish Babu, Udayavani, Bengaluru
A. Akshara, Senior Journalist
16. Sunnuvanda Srinivas Changappa Award (Report on Soldiers)
A. Appaji Gowda, Mulbagal, Kolar
17. K.N. Subramanya Award (English Newspaper Report)
Apyan Yasmin, The Hindu
Vikar Ahmed, Frontline, Bengaluru
18. T.K. Malagonda Award (Investigative Report)
Sivananda Hiremath, Vijayavani, Gadag
Tiptur Krishna, Adityavani, Tiptur
19. Actor-Director Dwarakish Memorial Award (Film Category)
S. Jagadish Kumar, Cine Suddi
20. Abhimani Prakashan Award
Mahesh Hegde, Samyukta Karnataka, Sagar, Shivamogga
Ravindra Talagade, Vijaya Karnataka, Ballari
21. Best Page Designers
Sandesh, Pratinidhi, Mysuru
22. Best Desk Management
Vijayakumar, Vijayavani
23. Newsreel (Report with Photograph)
K.V. Balaram, Kikkeri, Mandya
M.R. Manjunath, Senior Photographer
24. Photography / Cameramen
Ganesh, Vijaya Karnataka
Babu Mia, Kalaburagi
25. Ganesh G. Award
M.P. Arun Kumar, City Highlights, Shivamogga
Mahantesh, Andolana, Mysuru
26. K. Prahladrao (Mandya) Award
K.S. Janardhanachari, E Sanje
Ramesh K., Kannada Prabha, Bangarapet, Kolar
K.V. Nagaraj, Prajavani, N.R. Pura, Chikkamagaluru
27. Garudanagiri Nagaraj Award
B. Shivarudrappa, Kannada Prabha, Holalkere, Chitradurga
Ramesh Kumar Naik, Vishwavani
Ramakrishna, Samyukta Karnataka, Mangaluru
28. Gurulingaswamy Holimath Award
Devaraja Kappasogi, Kannada Prabha, Chamarajanagar
Navyajyoti, Hosa Diganta
29. Prajapragati Award
Rabindra Talagade, Vijaya Karnataka, Ballari
Brahmananda Hadagali, Kannada Prabha, Belagavi
30. B.A. Nandikolumath Award
H.K. Nataraj, Udayavani, Davanagere
Ramachandraiah, Kunigal, Samajvani, Tumakur
Electronic Media (TV) Section:
Best Political Analysis
Prashanth Natu, Suvarna TV
Pramod, TV9
Best Anchor
Arun C. Badiger, Public TV
Kiran Kumar D.K.
Development / Social / Humanitarian Report
P.D. Veeranna, Chandana TV, Tumakuru
Thimme Gowda, News18, Bengaluru
Maruti Pavagada, Guarantee News
Raju B.R., News 1st, Koppal
Vithala Caravada, Republic Kannada, Davanagere
Mohanakrishna, Akashvani / Doordarshan, Hassan
KUWJ Special Awards:
Vijaya Biradar, Jamkhandi
Sridhara Uchila, Mumbai
Srikanth, Kasaragod
Sanjeevarao Kulkarni
