Udupi: Karnataka BJP Chief Nalin Kumar Kateel on Monday said the recent statements of party legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal were taken note of and they were brought to the notice of the party’s Central Disciplinary Committee.

He further added the committee will be contemplating further action against the legislator if needed.

Speaking about the party’s preparation for the upcoming assembly election in the state, Kateel added that the party’s preparation was on course and they were expecting to win at least 150 seats during the elections next year.

“We are chalking out a plan for that accordingly.” He said.

Commenting on the inflation in the economy Kateel noted that the rise in prices of various commodities was natural as the prices are high in the international market as well.

“Ever since our party came into power in 2014, things have changed. When prices are rising in the international market, it rises here and when it comes down in the international market, it comes down here,” he opined.

 “In the 75 years, it is only the BJP government that has given free gas, delivered gas to the doorstep despite no application, credited Rs. 500 directly into the account and credited 10 thousand rupees to the farmers’ accounts every year. Despite rising prices, Ayushman Card was issued to BPL cardholders to control it. Our government has provided full cooperation in this manner”, he said.

When asked about the Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik’s ultimatum to the state government over Azaan and loudspeakers issue, Kateel said although the issue of activists and the responsibilities of the government were different, the ideology of Muthalik and BJP were the same.

“The issue of activists is different, and the responsibility of the government that governs constitutionally is different. However, Muthalik and our ideology are the same,” he said.

Concerning Azan, the state government must take strict action. Our government is set to make a decision based on the court’s order. There are legal and constitutional obstacles that hinder the removal of microphones from the mosque. After overseeing them, the state government will take a decision”, he said.

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Mangaluru: The long-pending demand of passengers from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and neighbouring Kerala, as well as Non-Resident Indians, has finally been addressed, with direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat set to resume from March 1, said MP Brijesh Chowta.

In a statement, he said a large number of people from the coastal region travel to Muscat for employment and business purposes, and there had been strong demand to restart the direct service. He said he had written to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation requesting the resumption of the flight. Following this, Air India Express will operate the service.

As per the current schedule, the flight will operate twice a week, on Sundays and Tuesdays. The direct service is expected to reduce travel time and provide major relief to NRIs by enabling them to travel directly to their hometown.

The sudden suspension of the Mangaluru–Muscat direct flight had caused serious inconvenience to thousands of passengers from the coastal belt settled in Muscat. Those travelling to Mangaluru were forced to take connecting routes via Delhi, Mumbai or Kannur.