UCC: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah accuses Centre of creating unnecessary controversy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday termed the issue of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) an unnecessary controversy created by the Centre in view of the Lok Sabha elections next year, and assured representatives of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that he would protect the rights of minorities.
Siddaramaiah told a delegation of AIMPLB that called on him that his government will not allow suppression of minority rights.
"The state government will act to protect the rights of minorities; no need to worry about this," the chief minister said.
During a discussion at the CM's Home Office 'Krishna', the AIMPLB members expressed concern about the "threat to the rights" of Muslims and the Muslim personal law due to the implementation of the UCC, a statement issued by the CM office said.
The previous Law Commission had rejected the central government's proposal saying that implementation of UCC was not feasible in this diverse country, they told the chief minister.
"Now the central government has asked the present Law Commission to review this matter again. Accordingly, the Law Commission is collecting opinions from the public," one of the delegation members was quoted as saying.
In reply, Siddaramaiah said, "We will respond after the publication of the draft Uniform Civil Code. Our government will never allow suppression of minority rights. The central government is creating unnecessary controversy in the wake of the election."
The delegation members also requested the government to protect the Waqf properties and clear encroachments.
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Assam records nearly 18 pc voter turnout in first two hours of assembly polls
Guwahati (PTI): A voter turnout of 17.87 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of the assembly elections in Assam, where the BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is striving to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago.
Polling began at 7 am for the 126-member assembly, and 17.87 per cent of the state's 2.5 crore voters exercised their franchise till 9 am, officials said.
A total of 722 candidates are in the fray for the elections, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc helmed by the Congress.
The river island of Majuli recorded the highest turnout in the first two hours at 20.03 per cent, while Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial Region witnessed the lowest at 15.32 per cent.
Voters began queuing outside polling booths since early morning, despite rain in many parts of the state.
Prominent candidates who have cast their votes so far include Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia in Nazira, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Khowang, and BJP's Pradyut Bordoloi.
Votes are being cast at 31,490 polling stations across the 35 districts of the state, with polling concluding at 5 pm.
Among the heavyweight candidates whose fates would be decided in this election are Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi.
The Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA constituents Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) are contesting 26 and 11 seats, respectively.
In the opposition bloc, Raijor Dal is contesting 13 seats, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) 10, CPI(M) 3 and APHLC 2. Other parties in the fray include AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), JMM (16), besides 258 Independents.
Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates at 15 each, while nine constituencies -- Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok and Lakhipur -- have only two candidates each.
