Veteran Cong leader Kagodu Thimmappa declares political retirement
Bengaluru, July 31: Veteran Congress leader, political stalwart, front leader of Socialist Movement in the state and former minister Kagodu Thimmappa, on Tuesday, declared retirement from the active politics.
Speaking to reporters at the Vidhana Soudha here, the socialist leader said that “I am aged. I have completed the works I had to do. I have contentment about my works. It’s enough. I have decided to keep myself away from electoral politics. I’ll not contest in any election. But I’ll involve myself in social works”, said Kagodu is retiring from his 55 years political career.
After his B Com and BL graduation, Kagodu had started his practice in Sagar as an advocate. Later, he had plunged into politics from Socialist Party. He had contested from Sagar Assembly constituency on Socialist Party ticket two times, but was defeated. Third time, he had entered the Vidhana Soudha in 1972. As he had participated in Sandur Bhoo Vimochana Satyagrah in 1973, he was arrested. Later, he was elected as the MLA and MLC and served the state.
As minister, he had managed various portfolios efficiently. In 1980, he had joined Congress (I) party. He was elected as the MLC from the Assembly constituency on May 5, 1980 with the help of then chief minister Gundu Rao and became the chairman of the Backward Classes Committee. Later, Gundu Rao had made him as the forest minister on October 3, 1980 and made him Leader of the Legislative Council. Later, he was appointed as the PWD Minister. In 1989, he was elected to Legislative Council from Congress and then chief minister Veerendra Patil appointed him as state Housing Board chairman.
He was again elected to Assembly in 1994 and 1999 elections from the Congress. He had served as the Social Welfare Minister in SM Krishna government. In the Siddaramaiah government, he had served as the Speaker and Revenue Minister. But he lost in the 2018 Assembly election from Sagar constituency against BJP candidate Hartal Halappa. Now, he has decided to retire from the active politics.
Foolish act: Kagodu
Responding to separate North Karnataka state movement, Kagodu said that the united Karnataka came into existence because of the efforts of many years. It was the height of the foolishness to demand for two states. No one should support the fight aimed at dividing the state, he said.
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.
Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
