Ex-CM HD Kumaraswamy alleges voter inducements in Bangalore Rural segment, DKS hits back
Ramanagara (Karnataka), Apr 26: JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday alleged that cash and gift vouchers were distributed in Bengaluru Rural constituency, especially in Kanakapura Taluk, a charge rejected by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
D K Suresh, brother of Shivakumar, is seeking re-election from the seat for the fourth time.
The NDA, of which JD(S) is a part, has fielded cardiologist Dr C N Manjunath -- brother-in-law of Kumaraswamy and son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda -- who is contesting on BJP ticket.
As the elections were in progress in 14 constituencies in the state, Kumaraswamy alleged that some supporters of BJP and the JD(S), were attacked in Kanakapura Taluk and their shirts were torn off.
"Guarantee cards (gift vouchers) were distributed with which people can make purchases up to Rs 10,000. When our boys made a noise, they were attacked," he alleged.
Money was also distributed since Thursday night, he said, adding that in Kunigal Taluk, a man died by suicide after Congress workers "attacked, pestered and threatened him."
"Even after giving complaints to the Election Commission, no action was taken," Kumaraswamy said, and added sarcastically: "I want to tell the EC to allow people to openly allow distribution."
Dismissing the allegation, Shivakumar accused Kumaraswamy of specialising in blame shifting.
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at his birthplace Dodda Aalahalli in Kanakapura Taluk in Ramanagara district, he said, "It is Kumaraswamy’s habit to shift blame to others after committing a crime. He distributes gift cards and money to voters but accuses the Congress of doing so."
Regarding the allegation that Congress is giving gift coupons worth Rs 10,000 in Lulu Mall, Shivakumar said, "Let him (Kumaraswamy) go and lodge a complaint with the Election Commission. It is easy to do hit-and-run without any proof."
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Coast Guard coordinates critical medical evacuation off Kerala coast
Kochi (PTI): The Indian Coast Guard said on Tuesday that it has successfully coordinated the medical evacuation of a critically-ill fisherman off the Kerala coast.
The ICG intervened in the evacuation after the officials of the Fisheries department raised a medical distress to the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC), Beypore, regarding the drowning of a fisherman from a fishing boat, a Defence press release said here.
Later, after the search, the fisherman was rescued, but the health condition of the patient, namely Ajin (26 years), a native of Colachel, Tamil Nadu, was deteriorating as sea water entered into his lungs.
"Considering the gravity of the situation and fulfilling the Coast Guard mandate of providing assistance to distressed fishermen at sea and saving precious lives, ICG immediately launched an advanced light helicopter with a medical team from Kochi while Coast Guard ships Aryaman and C-404 had responded to the distress," the release said.
The fishing boat was located, and the patient was airlifted to Kochi.
On arrival, the patient was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, and at present, the patient's condition is stable and he is under observation.
In a swiftly coordinated medical evacuation by ALH MK III helicopter @IndianCoastGuard saved a 26 yr old fisherman requiring immediate hospitalisation due to drowning from IFB Jazeera, located 40 miles from #Beypore. The patient was given inflight first aid and safely… pic.twitter.com/u0WuovfSiS
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 7, 2024
