Bengaluru, October 22: Is Opposition BJP accepted its defeat before the actual battle started in Mandya, Jamakhandi and Ramanagara constituencies?

In the beginning, the by-election has created a tough fight between ruling Congress-JDS coalition and the opposition BJP. But the present situation and the strategy of the BJP has created such a suspicion. The by-election to be held on November 3 was analysed as the referendum to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the country.  But the BJP, which should be competing with the Congress and JDS for winning all the five constituencies, is seems to be just fighting to retain its own constituencies like Shivamogga and Ballary. The BJP has announced the candidates for the by-elections well before the Congress-JDS coalition. But now, it is fighting in the remaining constituencies for the name sake.

BJP state president and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa who fielded his son BY Raghavendra from Shivamogga constituency has given priority to retain that constituency and MLA B. Sriramulu is fighting it out to elect his sister J. Shanta from Ballary against coalition candidates. But the BJP, which was earlier giving statements that it would win Mandya, Jamakhandi and Ramanagar constituencies, is seems to be not interested in intensifying its campaign.

At the last moment, the BJP has fielded candidates poached from other parties in Mandya and Ramanagara constituencies. Now, the sources in the party said that the candidates have restricted themselves to issue just press statements. Even in Jamakhandi constituency, the BJP has fielded Srikanth Kulkarni who was defeated in the last election. Interestingly, BJP election incharge Jagadish Shettar has gone to foreign trip during the time of campaigning and he would return on October 29, just three days before the voting.

So, except Shivamogga and Ballary constituencies, the BJP leaders might have lost hope of giving a tough competition to the coalition partners in other constituencies. This has led to the suspicion that the BJP has backtracked from its fight against the Congress and JDS candidates in the battle.

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New Delhi (PTI): Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a massive fire killed 25 people, were deported from Thailand on Tuesday and taken into custody by Delhi and Goa police as soon as they landed in Delhi.

The brothers arrived in the Indian capital in an Indigo flight and were immediately handed over to authorities for further legal proceedings, 10 days after a blaze tore through the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora in North Goa.

Gaurav, 44 and Saurabh, 40, will be produced before a Delhi court where the Goa police will seek their transit remand.

A TV reporter tracking the brothers from Bangkok attempted to shoot inside the aircraft, prompting the airlines and accompanying security officials to summon additional force to whisk away the two men.

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The Luthra brothers are facing a case of culpable homicide and negligence following the December 6 tragedy, which investigators allege was compounded by the nightclub operating in violation of mandatory fire safety norms. The incident raised serious questions over alleged fire safety violations and lapses by the management.

Gaurav and Saurabh fled to Phuket in the early hours of December 7, hours after the fire at their nightclub, prompting the authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and cancel their passports.

The duo was detained by Thai authorities at Phuket on December 11 following a request from the Indian government which later coordinated with officials in Thailand to deport them under legal treaties between the two nations.

On December 11, a Delhi court rejected the transit anticipatory bail pleas. Additional Sessions Judge Vandana termed the allegations against the brothers "prima facie grave and serious" and severely criticised their "conduct."

The court took note of the police investigation that the brothers had booked tickets to Phuket one hour after the fire, a fact their counsel had initially "concealed" while seeking protection from immediate arrest.

The judge said that leaving immediately after the tragedy was a clear attempt to "evade the legal process".

Observing that "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against the nightclub into a public interest litigation (PIL).