Congress leaders, workers in coastal Karnataka celebrate formation of party-led govt
Mangaluru, May 20: Congress leaders and party cadre in coastal Karnataka celebrated its government formation in the state after the swearing-in of Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister and D K Shivakumar as Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday.
Congress workers set off crackers and distributed sweets in front of the Congress Bhavan at Mallikatte in Mangaluru. Former minister Abhayachandra Jain, party leaders Naveen D'Souza, Sabitha Misquith, Shahul Hameed, Ibrahim Kodijal, and Shubodaya Alva were among those present.
In Udupi also, party workers expressed their joy by bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Udupi block Congress president Ramesh Kanchan, Krishnamurthi Acharya, Bhasker Rao Kidiyoor and others were present.
A group of lawyers in the city, who are admirers of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, also distributed ice cream to colleagues expressing happiness over the formation of the Congress government in Karnataka.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in Bengaluru exactly a week after the Congress scored a thumping victory in the Assembly polls by winning 135 seats in the 224-member House.
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Chandrashekhar Swamiji apologises for remark on denying voting rights to Muslims
"If my statement has upset our Muslim brothers, I deeply regret it."
Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."
In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.
The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."
The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
