72 first-timers, series of resignations, BJP's struggles continue ahead of assembly polls in K'taka
Bengaluru: As the Assembly elections in Karnataka approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is dealing with the challenge of having 72 first-time candidates and the resignation of several senior leaders, including Jagadish Shettar, from the party. Despite this setback, the BJP has expressed confidence in its ability to field new candidates as instructed by the party high command and has maintained that the departure of senior leaders will not affect its chances in the upcoming polls.
However, Congress leader Siddaramaiah has criticized the BJP's treatment of Shettar, whom he believes has been derogated by the party. Siddaramaiah also accused the BJP of attempting to win over the Lingayat community, to which Shettar belongs, through another senior leader BS Yediyurappa.
Veteran Congressman Shamanuru Shivashankarappa and Congress legislator MB Patil have convinced Shettar to join the Congress. In response to this development, the BJP has highlighted the apolitical relationship between Shettar and Shivashankarappa, whose granddaughter is married to Shettar's son, to indicate the influence of personal relationships on political moves.
According to Arun Singh, the Karnataka In-charge of the BJP, Shettar was promised a national-level post, including membership of the Rajya Sabha, by the party high command. Despite this assurance, Shettar decided to leave the party and join the Congress. Singh suggested that voters do not appreciate individuals who work solely for their own interests.
Another prominent leader who recently quit the BJP is former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who joined the Congress after being denied a party ticket for the upcoming elections. These resignations and the addition of new candidates have made the political climate in Karnataka more unpredictable in the lead-up to the Assembly elections.
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'Strong evidence' available against Saif attacker, police tell court while opposing his bail plea
Mumbai, Jul 25 (PTI): Police have opposed the bail plea of the Bangladeshi national arrested for allegedly stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife and injuring him at his home here in January this year, telling a Mumbai court there was "strong evidence" against the accused.
Citing a Forensic Science Laboratory report, police reiterated before the sessions court their earlier claim knife fragments that got lodged near the actor's spine during the attack as well as a part found at the crime spot have matched with the weapon recovered from the accused, Shariful Islam.
These three pieces were part of the same weapon (knife) used to attack the filmstar, the police said in a written response to the accused's plea submitted in the court on Thursday (July 24).
Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra on January 16 during a robbery attempt.
The 54-year-old actor underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a piece of knife that got lodged near his spine during the attack. He was discharged from the private hospital after five days.
Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested two days later for allegedly stabbing Khan.
The police, in their response, highlighted that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India.
If granted bail, there was a possibility that he may flee India and not appear before the court during the trial. The crime committed by the accused is of a "very serious nature, and strong evidence" is available against him, they argued.
In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, the accused asserted he was innocent and had no prior criminal record.
Investigation into the case has practically concluded with only the filing of a chargesheet pending, the accused contended while seeking bail.
The alleged attacker has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.
