‘Bengaluru Kambala,Namma Kambala’: Massive turnout to witness historic Kambala event in Silicon City
Karavalites call ‘Bengaluru Kambala’ event a ‘Mini Tulunadu” gathering
Bengaluru: The Highly anticipated ‘Bengaluru Kambala, Namma Kambala’ event kicked off in the city on Saturday, featuring the popular cultural Tulunadu sport 'Kambala' (Buffalo Race) and various other cultural programs. The two-day event being held at the Palace Grounds witnessed a large turnout, not only by people hailing from Karavali region, but also from other parts of the city.
In the meantime, the Kambala committee is also expecting people’s participation in more numbers on the event’s last day, on Sunday. This year’s Kambala season started from ‘Kakkepadavu Kambala’ in Bantwal.
Residents who have been away from their hometowns in coastal regions expressed joy at the opportunity to witness their traditional sport in Bengaluru. “We used to witness such events during our childhood days in our village, after coming to Bengaluru we had no much chance of watching the sport. However, for the first time we get to witness our land’s sport here in Bengaluru,” says Sunita who has been residing in Bengaluru for the past few years and hails from Udupi.
Another attendee, who works at a private firm in the city, states that the event gives a “Mini Tulunadu vibe.”
Meanwhile, jockey (Kambala Runner) of the Pannolibail Bandarada Mane team, expressed that, “I was nervous initially, since we were coming outside our region for the first time. However, me and my team are excited for the race. This should also continue for the years to come.”
Another jockey of the Sullia team, called the event a ‘Mini Tulunadu’ gathering in Bengaluru.
Hemant, a UPSC aspirant from Bengaluru, who is unfamiliar with the sport, expressed happiness over the coastal cultural event being held in the capital city. “ People here are not aware about traditions of various parts of Karnataka and for that reason, such events should take place. I had read about Kambala in my school books but never witnessed it. But, today I got an opportunity. Tulunadu culture is indeed very rich,” he added.
Meantime, two tourists, Adam and Issie from England also came down to Palace Grounds to attend the Kambala, speaking to this correspondent they revealed that their hotelier informed them about the grand sport being held here. “We enjoyed the food so far, though we are not aware about the events being held we have enjoyed things here. We haven’t seen the buffaloes yet but we are excited to witness the race.”
"People of Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapura don't go to heaven, they create heaven wherever they go.": Mimicry Dayananda
Renowned stand-up comedian, actor, and television presenter Mimicry Dayananda, performing at the 'Bengaluru Kambala, Namma Kambala' on Saturday, emphatically declared that the people of Mangaluru, Udupi, and Kundapura don't go to heaven; they create heaven wherever they go. Dayananda delighted the audience with his mimicry and humorous anecdotes.
In addition to Mimicry Dayananda's performance, popular Tulu actor Umesh Mijar and his team from the 'Bale Telipaale' show, Chennukunita, and various other traditional performances added to the cultural vibrancy of Day 1 at Bengaluru Kambala.
The two day mega sporting event is organised under the joint auspices of the Kambala Committees of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragodu districts and the Bengaluru Kambala Committee, and will come to a close on November 26, Sunday. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, popular music director Gurukiran Shetty, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U.T Khader, Former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, Former Minister Sadananda Gowda and several other distinguished guests graced the event on its first day.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
