BJP backed candidates leading in panchayat polls in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Initial trends indicate that the candidates backed by the BJP have won a majority of panchayat seats in Karnataka as the counting of votes progressed on Wednesday.
Though these polls don't take place on party symbols, all political parties have put in efforts to ensure that the candidate supported by them wins, so as to have their hold on grassroots level politics, which may prove advantageous for them in taluk or Zilla panchayat and even assembly polls whenever it happens.
According to sources, the BJP has so far secured 4,228 seats, followed by the Congress with 2,265 seats, JD(S) 1,167 seats, and independents 678 seats.
Karnataka State Election Commission officials said counting was on at all 226 centers at the Taluk headquarters by adhering to strict COVID-19 protocol of mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene.
Over 1,100 security personnel have been deployed at the counting centers, State Election Commissioner B Basavaraju said.
During the election, ballot papers were used in all districts except Bidar, election officials said.
The elections to 5,728 village panchayats had taken place across 226 Taluks of the state for 82,616 seats.
They were conducted in two phases on December 22 and 27 where 78.58 percent voting was registered.
As many as 2,22,814 candidates contested the election whereas 8,074 candidates were elected unopposed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
NEET UG paper leak: CBI arrests Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) founder in Latur
New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar who runs the Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) in Maharashtra's Latur city in the NEET UG paper leak case, officials said on Monday.
A leaked question paper for the medical entrance exam was found on Motengaonkar' phone mobile during searches conducted by the agency on Sunday. He was arrested after that.
The CBI has alleged that Motegaonkar was an active member of the organised gang involved in the leakage and circulation of the NEET UG paper, the officials said.
Motegaonkar in conspiracy with other accused received the question paper and answers of NEET UG Exam, 2026 ahead of April 23, 2026 exam, they said. He allegedly circulated the paper to several persons.
