Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered that the death of 'Arjuna', the elephant that had carried the golden howdah during the Mysuru Dasara on eight occasions, in a fight with a wild tusker be investigated thoroughly.

Addressing reporters after offering floral tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on the death anniversary of the Father of the Indian Constitution on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah added that memorials will also be installed at the spot where the majestic elephant Arjuna lost its life as well as in Heggadedevanakote (H.D. Kote).

The elephant fought against the wild elephant in the forest areas of Dabbalikatte near Yeslur in Hassan district on Monday but could not withstand the tusker's attack. Arjuna was attacked by the wild elephant although the forest officials fired in the air.

The Forest Department officials, however, are facing locals' allegation that the firing resulted in Arjuna being injured in the leg, which further affected its strength in the fight.

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Bengaluru: Channapatna JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who lost the byelection to C.P. Yogeshwar of Congress, on Sunday consoled a fan who reportedly attempted to end his life and requested him not to repeat such acts.

Manjunath, fondly called Abhi, had even penned a letter before taking the dangerous step. Nikhil, who called on Manjunath at the latter’s home in Kudloor in Channapatna, expressed shock and sadness over the incident.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy reassured Manjunath, expressing his support during the difficult time. He told him that he was deeply troubled to learn of this incident and emphasised that he would stand by him. Nikhil also promised to offer assistance in any way he could, including helping him secure employment opportunities in the future, as reported by the Deccan Herald.

He also reminded Manjunath of the importance of his children’s well-being, urging him to focus on their future. “Please, look at the faces of your growing children. Even I have a three-year-old son. The children are young, let us take care of their future also. I will arrange some job opportunities for you. I might not be an MLA but this is a challenge. I will get you employed,” he said.

Nikhil told media persons that he is extremely hurt more by Manjunath’s attempt to die than by his loss in the election. “At 7:30 a.m., we got a message that in Valetoopu, Manjunath had consumed poison yesterday. In Channapatna, our workers and leaders have built this party with zeal. Let the admiration be there in your hearts but if it crosses the line, your families get hurt and we get very pained by it,” he was quoted as saying by the publication.

Speaking of his byelection loss, Nikhil reiterated that the JD(S) had got its traditional votes, but that the votes of a particular community went against the party.

“Deve Gowda gave reservation to a community. We tried our last attempt to take that community into confidence. But they conveyed to us that they do not require us. In future, we will take other communities into confidence,” he remarked in a veiled reference to Muslims.

Nikhil lost the election by a margin of 25,413 votes to Congress candidate C.P. Yogeshwar.

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