Has bjp accepted defeat even before war in Mandya, Jamkhandi, Ramanagara constituencies?
By-election
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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India, France ink intergovernmental pact sealing Rs 64,000 cr deal to procure 26 Rafale jets
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New Delhi (PTI): India and France on Monday inked an intergovernmental agreement to procure 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 64,000 crore for the Indian Navy.
The pact provides for setting up of a production facility for Rafale fuselage as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for aircraft engines, sensors and weapons in India, according to the defence ministry.
The agreement will also facilitate the transfer of technology for the integration of indigenous weapons in India, it said without elaborating.
The ministry said the delivery of the aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India.
India is procuring the jets for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Manufactured by French defence major Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in the maritime environment.
The sealing of the mega deal came three weeks after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the procurement.
Under the terms of reference, the delivery of the jets will have to start around five years after the signing of the contract.
In July 2023, the defence ministry accorded the initial approval for the mega acquisition following a series of deliberations and evaluation tests of the platform.
Under the deal, the Indian Navy will also get associated ancillary equipment including weapon systems and spares from Dassault Aviation.
The defence ministry said that the Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
"Its procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both Indian Navy and IAF," it said in a statement.
"The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation's air power at sea," it said
The intergovernmental pact has been signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France's Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu.
The signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials, the defence ministry said.
