Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik likely to be dumped by BJP in candidate list, sources say might switch to JDS
Might contest as independent candidate, join BJP later: Sources
Bhatkal: Ahead of the release of the candidate list of the BJP, speculations in the local political circles are rife that the Saffron party is likely to dump its sitting MLA Sunil Naik from the constituency and would be fielding a fresh candidate as the party’s face in coming elections.
Sunil Naik, who was facing stiff opposition from within the party, is likely to switch to JD(S) and is reportedly in talks with the JD(S) high command for a ticket from the party.
Sources close to the MLA also added that he is mulling contesting the election as an independent candidate. The sources also added that Sunil Naik was exploring the prospects of him joining the BJP again if he manages victory in the election while also demanding a ministry portfolio for himself.
JD(S) on the other hand has remained a mute spectator of the situation in Bhatkal. Media reports had earlier claimed that the JD(S) chief and former CM HD Kumaraswamy had assured noted High Court lawyer Nagendra Naik of a party ticket from the constituency.
With Congress announcing former MLA Mankal Vaidya as its candidate, both BJP and JD(S) are trying to tackle an internal feud among several of its candidates, nursing ticket aspirations.
In the BJP, local leader Govinda Naik, a staunch Sangh Parivar activist has emerged as the front-runner for the ticket while Ishwar Naik is also among those being considered in the race.
In the JD(S) one of its most prominent local leaders Inayathullah Shabandri is still hopeful of a party ticket but the chances of his candidature look bleak with Nagendra Naik getting assurance from the party chief.
It will be interesting to see if JD(s) dumps Nagendra Naik as well as Shabandri to take the BJP’s dumped sitting MLA on board.
BJP is expected to release its list of candidates on Tuesday late night or Wednesday morning, after a series of meetings that have been held over the last two days in New Delhi. The meetings were attended by CM Bommai and party strongman BS Yediyurappa along with other senior leaders.
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CM Siddaramaiah, FM Nirmala Sitharaman lead polio vaccination drive in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman led the statewide pulse polio vaccination drive on Sunday.
While Siddaramaiah kicked off the campaign along with state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Home Minister G Parameshwara at his residence 'Kaveri' here, Sitharaman, who is in Vijayanagara district in the state, holding Chintan Shivir, administered pulse polio drops to children below five years of age in Kamalapura.
"Smt @nsitharaman launched the Polio Immunisation Drive in Kamalapura, Karnataka, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to safeguarding child health and ensuring a polio-free India," a post on her 'X' account said.
The post further said that children under five years of age were administered Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops, "reinforcing the collective effort to protect future generations through timely immunisation."
According to the details shared by the health departments, about 62.4 lakh children have been identified for it.
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"Under the routine immunization programme, every Child is given 5 doses of OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) and 3 doses of IPV (inactivated injectable polio vaccine) and Government of Karnataka is committed that no child should miss these doses," a government statement said.
Apart from all hospitals in the state, special focus will be given to immunise children living in villages, hilly areas, brick kilns, slums, migrant areas, farmhouses, urban slums. Booths will also be set up in railway stations, metro stations, airports and Seaports, the statement said.
The state health department has set up 33,258 booths and deployed 1,030 mobile teams, 2,096 transit teams, 1,13,115 vaccinators and 7,322 Supervisors.
All children below five years of age will be administered the oral polio vaccine on December 21, 2025.
"Even if your child has received any number of doses of OPV before, it is very essential to immunise your child again during this round," the department said.
In order to allay concerns, the department said the polio vaccine is completely safe and people should not to believe in any false rumours.
Smt @nsitharaman launched the Polio Immunization Drive in Kamalapura, Karnataka, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to safeguarding child health and ensuring a polio-free India.
— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) December 21, 2025
On the occasion, children under five years of age were administered Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)… pic.twitter.com/PN4IJUGtnn
ಗೃಹಕಚೇರಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣಾದಲ್ಲಿ "ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಲಸಿಕಾ ದಿನ"ವನ್ನು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಪಲ್ಸ್ ಪೋಲಿಯೊ ಲಸಿಕೆ ಹಾಕುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿದೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 21, 2025
ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರೂ ತಮ್ಮ 5 ವರ್ಷದೊಳಗಿನ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿದ ತಪ್ಪದೇ ಪೋಲಿಯೊ ಲಸಿಕೆ ಹಾಕಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ "ಪೋಲಿಯೊ ಮುಕ್ತ ಭಾರತ"ದ ನಮ್ಮ ಅಭಿಯಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಂಬಲವಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಮನವಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.
ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ದಿನೇಶ್… pic.twitter.com/uClMoqOnyB
