Cong seeks to mollify JDS in the wake of CM Kumaraswamy’s 'Chakravyuh' remarks
Bengaluru, Apr 6: With fissures in the ruling front coming to the fore again ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Congress' Karnataka unit chief Dinesh Gundu Rao Saturday said a meeting has been convened with its coalition partner, the JDS, here Sunday to sort out the problems.
The statement comes in the wake of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy accusing the Congress and others of hatching a 'chakravyuh', a deadly formation in the epic Mahabharata, to defeat his son and JDS nominee Nikhil in the Mandya Lok Sabha seat.
Conceding that there were problems in Mandya, Rao said, "Almost all the problems are solved and we will solve the Mandya problem also.
Tomorrow we will be having a meeting where we will be taking a decision."
Rao reiterated that Nikhil would win without any doubt.
While 80 per cent of the Congress workers were toiling to ensure Nikhils victory, the remaining were creating problems, he said.
"To sort out our problems, a meeting has been convened in Bengaluru Sunday where prominent leaders of Mandya will participate," Rao asserted.
The Congress state president said there were directions from the party high command to ensure the JDS candidates' victory.
"Rahul Gandhi has said the party should see that the JD(S) candidates are elected.
If that does not happen then, if our workers are creating problems, then either that has to be sorted out or the party will take serious action against them," Rao said.
According to party sources, Chaluvaraya Swamy, Ramesh Bandi Siddegowda, Narendra Swamy, Ganiga Ravi, K B Chandrashekhar and Ravishankar are among the prominent leaders from Mandya who would attend the meeting Sunday.
Bringing to the fore again deep fissures in the Congress-JDS front, Kumaraswamy Friday lashed out at the Congress and others for "colluding" with independent candidate and film actress Sumalatha, wife of late Congress leader and actor Ambareesh, in Mandya, instead of working for Nikhil.
He was replying to queries on JD(S) supremo and his father H D Deve Gowda's remarks that things have gone out of hand in Mandya, which goes to polls on April 18, and even former chief minister and Congress strongman Siddaramaiah cannot reverse it.
'Chakravyuh' is a deadly battle formation narrated in the Mahabharata in which Arjuna's son Abhimanyu was trapped and killed by the Kauravas.
The BJP is backing Sumalatha instead of fielding its candidate.
There is widespread resentment within the local Congress over the JDS being alloted the seat under an electoral arrangement between the coalition partners.
Disgruntled JD(S) leaders are also reportedly working against the third generation of the mighty Deve Gowda clan.
Gowda's another grandson Prajwal Revanna, son of minister H D Revanna, is contesting from Hassan, where also a similar situation prevails with the Congress at the grassroot level openly expressing opposition to the JDS.
According to the coalition arrangement, JD(S) is contesting in seven seats and the Congress, 21.
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Maharashtra govt to allow flexible reporting time for women employees in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Tuesday announced a flexible work time initiative for women state government employees working in the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Pawar said that under the "Come Early, Go Early" initiative, women employees will be allowed flexible reporting time between 9.15 am and 9.45 am, and can leave early in the evening by the same number of minutes after putting in the required number of hours of work.
"This decision would provide major relief to women by easing the inconvenience they face due to rush hour crowds," she said, during a special discussion in the legislative council to mark International Women's Day.
Reiterating the state government's commitment to the holistic development of women, Pawar urged members to strengthen the resolve to build a society that ensures proper respect, opportunities and security for women.
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The deputy chief minister also noted that 42,594 children were traced through 14 campaigns conducted under 'Operation Muskan' between July 2015 and February 2026, while 'Operation Shodh' helped trace 5,066 women and 2,771 children.
The missing people's cells were functional in all districts, while 51 Bharosa cells had been activated to address women's issues, she said.
Technology was being increasingly used for women's safety, and systems to prevent cybercrime had been set up at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Churchgate and Borivali railway stations, the deputy chief minister said.
Highlighting economic empowerment initiatives for women, the deputy chief minister cited schemes such as Ladki Bahin, Namo Mahila Sakshamikaran, Lek Ladki, Annapurna and Lakhpati Didi.
She said platforms such as Umed Mall, Umed Mart and Mahalakshmi Saras had been launched to provide markets for products made by self-help groups, which are now also available on online platforms.
Pawar stated that the government was positive about improving honorarium and infrastructure for anganwadi workers and helpers, noting that drinking water facilities had been provided to 17,254 anganwadi centres.
She also noted that the state had sanctioned 180 days of maternity leave for government employees and allowed up to one year of half-pay leave after maternity leave without the need for a medical certificate.
The Maharashtra government's 4th Women's Policy had been implemented and a high-level committee set up for its effective execution, she said.
The 'Adishakti Abhiyan' was also being implemented to ensure a safer and more dignified life for rural women, prevent child marriage, create atrocity-free villages and reduce school dropout rates among girls, Pawar said.
The state government has emphasised health, education, skill development, strengthening self-help groups, special measures for women farmers and labourers and strict enforcement of laws for women's safety, she said.
