Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat seeks permission for religious programmes
Mangaluru, Apr 17: Criticising the state governments decision to ban religious programmes due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat on Saturday said the restrictions will hurt the feelings of citizens of the district and neighbouring Dakshina Kannada.
Addressing reporters at Udupi, he said it is disappointing to note that while political meetings are being allowed, restrictions are imposed on religious programmes.
Bhat said the COVID-19 situation in Udupi was not so alarming as to clamp a night curfew and demanded that it be immediately withdrawn.
He said the authorities can take steps to ensure that people are wearing masks and avoid crowding.
Bhat said small traders who are just coming out of their miseries during the first lockdown cannot afford to bear the new restrictions.
Udupi district has so far managed the Covid situation in a commendable manner, he said.
Meanwhile in Dakshina Kannada, leaders of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other organisations met district deputy commissioner K V Rajendra on Saturday, urging him to relax the restrictions on religious functions.
They also approached BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel MP with the request.
The leaders assured that if the programmes are allowed, the COVID-19 protocol will be strictly followed at the functions, VHP sources said.
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EC will leave no stone unturned to hold free, fair elections in West Bengal: CEC Kumar
New Delhi (PTI): Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday asserted that the Election Commission will leave no stone unturned in holding free, fair and transparent polls in West Bengal where the first phase of voting is scheduled to be held on April 23.
Interacting with officials involved in poll management, the CEC said the elections will be fear-free, violence-free and intimidation-free.
Officials said the poll authority will ensure elections are also inducement-free and "booth jamming free".
No employee of the state government, local bodies or autonomous bodies will be allowed to influence the electoral process, they said.
The ruling TMC in the state has accused the EC of playing in the hands of the BJP, a charge vehemently rejected by the election watchdog.
The EC and the TMC have also been at loggerheads over the special intensive revision of voters' list with the party accusing the poll authority of deliberately disenfranchising voters to benefit the BJP. Both the EC and the BJP have rejected the charge while dubbing it as baseless.
The second phase of voting in West Bengal will be held on April 29 and votes will be counted on May 4.
