Nomination process for second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka begins today
Bengaluru: The nomination process for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka begins today, with the notification for the election of 14 constituencies set to be released on Friday.
In Kalaburagi reserve constituency, Congress's Radhakrishna Doddamani is expected to file nomination papers on the first day, with AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge, KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar, and others in attendance. E. Tukaram will also file his nomination in the Bellary reserved constituency on Friday.
Prominent candidates in the second phase include former CMs Jagdish Shettar in Belagavi, Basavaraj Bommai in Haveri Constituency, and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in Dharwad Constituency, all representing the BJP.
Voting in the second phase will be held in constituencies such as Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Davanagere, Kalyana, and Kittur. The BJP-JDS alliance has shared constituencies, with no constituencies ceded to JDS in the second phase, leading to direct competition between Congress and BJP in all 14 constituencies. However, there is a possibility of a three-way contest if candidates who have shown rebellion in four constituencies file their nomination papers.
The ruling Congress in the state and the ruling BJP at the centre consider this election a matter of prestige, especially in constituencies like Shivaogga and Dharwad for BJP, and Bagalkote and Davangere for Congress.
Phase 2 Constituencies:
Chikkodi, Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere, and Shivamogga.
Rlection Schedule:
- April 12 – Notification
- April 19 – Last day for submission of nomination papers
- April 20 – Scrutiny of nomination papers
- April 22 – Last day to withdraw nomination papers
- May 7 – Voting
- June 4 – Counting of votes
Surpur By-election:
The notification for the by-election of Surpura ST reserved constituency will also be released on Friday (A.12), with the General Election 2nd phase schedule in the state applicable for this by-election.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bommai turns down honorary doctorate, calls for rethink on awards to politicians
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has declined to accept an honorary doctorate from Haveri University, saying it is not appropriate to confer such honours on politicians or those engaged in self-motivated social service.
He said the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours in public life.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Syndicate members of Haveri University for deciding to confer an honorary doctorate on me,” Bommai, MP from Haveri, said in a statement issued on Sunday night.
“However, I have informed the Vice-Chancellor that I will not accept the honour. As I am engaged in public service, I do not seek any awards. I believe the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours. Therefore, I humbly reiterate that I will not accept the honorary doctorate,” he said.
Bommai said honorary doctorates should be awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished and significant service in a particular field over a long period.
“It is my personal view that it is not appropriate to confer honorary doctorates on politicians or those engaged in social service out of self-motivation. I request that this matter be reconsidered,” he added.
Recently, Karnataka Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar proposed the constitution of an expert panel to regulate the awarding of honorary doctorates.
In a letter to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is also the Chancellor of public universities in the state, the minister highlighted the lack of standards in conferring such honours.
