Special express trains from Bengaluru to Jog Falls, Belagavi announced for Diwali
Bengaluru: To accommodate the festive rush during Diwali, the South Western Railway has announced special trains from Bengaluru to Talaguppa (Jog Falls) and Belagavi.
Special train to Talaguppa (Jog Falls)
Train number 06587 will depart from Yeshwantpur at 10:30 PM on October 17 and 24, and arrive at Talaguppa at 4:15 AM the next day.
Train number 06588 will leave Talaguppa at 10:00 AM on October 18 and 25, reaching Yeshwantpur at 5:15 PM the same day.
The train will stop at Tumakuru, Tiptur, Arsikere, Birur, Tarikere, Bhadravati, Shivamogga Town, Anandapuram and Sagara Jambagaru in both directions.
Special train to Belagavi
Train number 06503 will depart from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru (SMVT) at 5:30 PM on October 17 and arrive in Belagavi at 5:30 AM the next day.
Train number 06504 will leave Belagavi at 5:30 PM on October 22 and reach SMVT Bengaluru at 5:00 AM the following day.
The train will have stoppages at Chikkabanavara, Tumakuru, Arsikere, Birur, Davangere, Harihar, Haveri, Hubballi, Dharwad, Alnavar and Londa.
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.
Annamalai left out of BJP’s candidate list for Tamil Nadu polls, party cites High Command decision
Chennai/New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, triggering political discussion after the absence of former state president K Annamalai from the roster.
Despite being widely seen as the party’s most prominent face in the state and a key figure in its southern expansion strategy, Annamalai was not fielded in the list. Senior leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore North, and Union Minister L. Murugan from Avinashi, have been nominated.
Responding to questions on the omission, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said the decision was taken by the party’s central leadership. He expressed confidence that all 27 candidates would emerge victorious in the polls.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer who joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly rose to prominence, had earlier been replaced as state chief by Nagendran. Known for his aggressive political style and grassroots outreach, he has been instrumental in amplifying the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.
In a message posted on X, Annamalai congratulated the candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to the party. He said he would campaign actively for BJP and NDA nominees, expressing confidence in the alliance securing a decisive mandate. He also criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, calling it ineffective and self-serving.
The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Seat-sharing arrangements allocate 169 constituencies to the AIADMK, 27 to the BJP, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, five to the Tamil Maanila Congress, and one seat each to the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi and Puratchi Bharatham.
Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, although actor-turned-politician Vijay is also positioning himself as a potential challenger, raising the possibility of a multi-cornered contest.
#WATCH | Chennai | Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran says, "A list of 27 candidates has been released by the BJP High Command... All the 27 candidates will surely win this time..."
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2026
On Annamalai's name not appearing in the recently released list, he says, "This is a… https://t.co/pDd0HodSAW pic.twitter.com/29gkGK9AaP
