Mangaluru, May 21: The demand for deputy chief minister’s position to North Karnataka in the JDS-Congress combine is becoming stronger. This demand is justifiable. If the North Karnataka needs equal share in the development, it should get the post of deputy chief minister.

In the same way, Coastal Karnataka is also important place for the Congress. Interestingly, the Congress has only three MLAs from the entire Coastal Karnataka and out of 13 constituencies in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, the Congress has got only one seat. In the last Assembly election, the Congress had 10 MLAs, but this time it has reduced to one.

It is said that Hindutva and Modi wave has worked behind this result. If it is true, UT Khader is the only person who swam against these two waves to become MLA. With this, Khader has saved the face of the Congress in the Coastal area.

Facing all challenges, Khader has won for the fourth time in a row. For this, the Congress has to encourage him. In order to induce confidence among party workers, Khader should be given an important portfolio. In the last government, Khader has drawn the attention of the entire state through his work and efficiency as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies department. He is able to handle any portfolio if given.

His plus point is that he takes people of all religions together. Even in the election, he has taken people from all communities into confidence due to which, he was supported by all sections of people. For this reason, he should be given an important portfolio as the party would require him more.

 

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Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.

Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.

The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.

On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.

The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.

SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.

All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.

The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.

One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.

Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."

"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.

A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.

The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.

Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.

It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.

Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.