Ramanath Rai announces retirement from electoral politics
Mangaluru: Former state minister and veteran Congress leader B Ramanath Rai on Tuesday announced his retirement from electoral politics, adding that he would remain an active member of the Congress.
Addressing a press meet at the Congress Bhavan in Mallikatte, Mangaluru, Rai gave a word of thanks to all Kannadigas who had worked hard for the landslide victory of the Congress in the Karnataka Assembly elections. “I also thank all citizens who voted for me in the polls,” he said.
Stating that he had always followed the party rules, Rai said that, henceforth too, he would duly fulfil the duties he was assigned by the party leadership.
“The Congress has seen a setback in Dakshina Kannada, but the victory in the state is stupendous, which should inspire the Congress workers in our district to work harder for the party,” said Rai, asking of the workers, “We must all strive to ensure victory of the Congress in the Panchayat elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”
The leader pointed out that he had, no doubt, lost the elections from Bantwal constituency this year, but received a greater number of votes than the last elections. He added that the Congress would analyse the party performance, especially in the case of defeat, in the elections.
When asked about the selection of the Chief Minister of the state, Rai said, “There is no problem within the Congress. The party high command and the legislators will decide who will be the Chief Minister,” and added, “The Congress government will also implement the schemes it promised to the people of Karnataka while campaigning for the polls.”
Congress leader Ibrahim Kodijal and office-bearers Rakshith Shivaram, Shashidhar Hegde, Lancelot Pinto, Shahul Hamid, Ashraf K, Navin D’Souza, Sudarshan, Umesh Dandakeri, Salim, Prithviraj, Chittaranjan Shetty, Musthafa and Honnaiah were among those present at the press meet.
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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."
