Results for: Karnataka

Karnataka will participate in the second and third phases of the crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2024, with voting scheduled for April 26 and May 7, respectively. The state will witness high-stakes battles in several constituencies, including Bangalore Rural, where DK Suresh (Congress) and CN Majunath (BJP), the son-in-law of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, will face off. The constituency comprises a mix of rural and urban areas, presenting a diverse electorate. The Congress has traditionally dominated the Bengaluru South constituency, but the BJP is looking to make inroads with its candidate, C N Manjunath. The JD(S) also holds a significant presence in the region.

As elections approach in Karnataka and Maharashtra, several districts in both states are facing severe drought, with villagers in Baramati, Maharashtra, relying on tankers for water. Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt made a stunning appearance at the premiere of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi,’ alongside Mrunal Thakur and her family. Political economy, inheritance tax, and wealth surveys were the focus of ‘Newstrack,’ while ‘To The Point’ addressed the controversy surrounding PM Modi’s ‘mangalsutra’ remark. Additionally, India Today’s Milan Sharma explores the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Congress of reducing the quota for the OBCs in Karnataka by including Muslim castes in the same category. Speaking at an election rally in Madhya Pradesh, he claimed that Congress intends to replicate this approach nationwide. Modi asserted that the party’s decision violates the Constitution, which prohibits reservation based on religion. This move, he said, has deprived the OBC community of a significant portion of their reservations. Modi further criticized Congress for its alleged plans to impose inheritance tax, a policy he termed an attack on ancestral wealth. He contrasted Congress’s alleged mismanagement of Madhya Pradesh with the BJP’s record of development in the state.

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has summoned the Chief Secretary of the Karnataka government over the state’s categorisation of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota, which provides for “blanket reservation” to Muslims under Category II-B. NCBC Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir expressed concerns that this categorisation is leading to over-representation of Muslims in government positions and educational institutions, depriving other deserving OBC communities of their share. The Commission cited postgraduate medical admissions in Karnataka in 2021-22 and 2022-23 as evidence of this issue. Ahir also questioned the validity of the reports based on which the entire Muslim community had been declared backward in the state, as the state government has yet to provide a full report of a current survey that supports this classification.

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has expressed disapproval of the Karnataka government’s move to categorize the Muslim community as a backward caste for reservation purposes. The commission maintains that this decision undermines the principle of social justice and infringes upon the rights of other backward classes within the state.

Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections will encompass 89 seats across 13 states and Union Territories, including 14 constituencies in Karnataka. Notable constituencies in this phase include Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, and Mysore. The BJP, which secured 25 seats in Karnataka in the 2019 elections, is contesting 25 seats again, while its ally JDS is vying for 3 seats.

The second phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections will take place on April 26, with 89 seats across 13 states electing their representatives to the lower house of the parliament. In Karnataka, six Lok Sabha constituencies – Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Mandya, and Mysore – will go to polls in this phase.

A viral video on social media shows journalist Rajdeep Sardesai interviewing locals in Karnataka inside a bus. He asks them their preferred politician and party, with most expressing support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. However, this video is a clipped version of the original interview shared by India Today, which shows people supporting both Congress and BJP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party on Tuesday, accusing it of suppressing Hindu religious practices and citing an alleged assault on a shopkeeper for listening to the Hanuman Chalisa chant in Karnataka. Addressing a rally in Rajasthan, Modi claimed that under Congress rule, even listening to the Hanuman Chalisa had become a criminal offense. He also highlighted the ban on Ram Navami processions in the state during Congress governance. Contrasting this with the current BJP dispensation under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Modi praised the crackdown on mafia and criminals, leading to a more peaceful environment.

The public campaign for the 14 constituencies in Karnataka going to the polls on April 26th is coming to an end, with the Chief Electoral Officer sharing final preparations for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, an election awareness jatha is being organized to encourage voting, while various cultural events are also taking place across Bengaluru.