Congress names candidates for Basavakalyan and Maski assembly bypolls in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Mar 18: The Congress on Thursday announced its candidates for the April 17 byelections to two Karnataka assembly constituencies, fielding Mallamma, the wife of late legislator B Narayan Rao who died of COVID-19 in last September, in Basavakalyan.
Basanagouda Turvihal, who recently joined the party, would be its candidate in Maski segment, a Congress press release said.
The party did not name the candidate for the Belgaum Lok Sabha seat, which will also go to bypolls on April 17.
It, however, declared Ashok Managuli as candidate for Sindagi assembly seat, for which election has not yet been announced. The seat has fallen vacant following the death of senior JD(S) leader M C Managuli in January.
The Congress aims to retain Basavakalyan and Maski, which it had won in the 2018 assembly elections.
The death of Narayan Rao due to COVID-19 in September last year has necessitated the bypoll in Basavakalyan.
Among other factors, Congress seems to be eyeing sympathy wave in favour of Mallamma.
Turvihal was the BJP's candidate from Maski in 2018 and had lost by a margin of just 213 against Prathapagouda Patil of the Congress, who is now with the BJP.
Maski seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Patil for his role along with others that led to the collapse of the previous Congress-JD(S) coalition government.
The bypolls will be held on April 17 and the counting of votes will take place on May 2.
According to party sources, the candidate for the Belgaum seat is likely to be announced by the end of this week.
By-polls to Belgaum Lok Sabha seat has been necessitated following the death of Union Minister Suresh Angadi of the BJP due to COVID-19 in September last year.
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PM Modi embarks on three-nation visit beginning with Jordan
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman -- countries which enjoy civilizational ties and exceptional bilateral relations with India.
"First, I will be visiting Jordan, on the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," the prime minister said in his departure statement.
Modi will hold detailed discussions with Jordanian King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, and will also meet Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah.
In his first visit to Ethiopia, the prime minister will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
The prime minister will also hold discussions with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and meet the Indian diaspora.
"On the final leg of my journey, I will visit the Sultanate of Oman. My visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Oman," Modi said.
In Muscat, the prime minister will hold discussions with the Sultan of Oman on strengthening the Strategic Partnership as well as a strong commercial and economic relationship.
"I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the country's development and in enhancing our partnership," Modi said.
