RBI cuts interest rate by 0.25 per cent to boost growth

 Mar 19, 2013 Reuters In line with expectations, the RBI today cut its short-term lending rate by 0.25 per cent to spur growth and revive investment but sounded a note of caution on further easing of rates on account of high food inflation and current account deficit.

“The foremost challenge for returning the economy to a high growth trajectory is to revive investment. A competitive interest rate is necessary for this but not sufficient,” the Reserve Bank said in its mid-quarter review of the monetary policy.

Accordingly, its short term lending rate or the repo was reduced by 0.25 per cent to 7.5 per cent, making it the second consecutive cut in as many months.

The market was widely expecting a cut by 0.25 per cent due to the deteriorating growth which is estimated to touch a decade low of 5 per cent and a cooling in the core inflation to a 35 month low.
He, however said “…even as the policy stance emphasises addressing the growth risks, the headroom for further monetary easing remains quite limited.”

Expecting the government to begin spending, it left the cash reserve ratio or the amount of deposits banks have to park with RBI, unchanged at 4 per cent.

The BSE Sensex, which started sliding after the policy announcement, fell sharply by almost 300 points after a coalition partner DMK pulled out of the UPA alliance.

The RBI, however stressed that a interest rate cut alone will not be helpful in order to achieve the objective of reviving investment and called for bridging supply constraints and staying course on fiscal consolidation.

On its guidance, the statement was cautious on further easing and pointed towards the rising current account deficit— which is widely expected to touch a record high at 5 per cent and the expectation of inflation staying range-bound due to fuel price revisions and rising MSPs for agri produce, as the inhibiting factors.
The Government has a critical role to play in this regard by remaining committed to fiscal consolidation, easing the supply bottlenecks and improving governance surrounding project implementation,” RBI said, acknowledging the “firm commitment” to fiscal consolidation made in the budget.

“Elevated food prices, including pressures stemming from MSP increase and the wedge between wholesale and retail inflation (which rose to 10.9 per cent in February) have adverse implications for inflation expectations,” it said.

Commenting on RBI policy action, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said “this policy gives signal in the right direction.”

On the CAD, the RBI said the risk remains significant notwithstanding the likely improvement in fourth quarter and added, “financing of the CAD with stable flows remains a challenge”.

On liquidity management, which was mentioned by Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday, the RBI said it will continue using all instruments including government bond buybacks to inject liquidity.
RBI retains the growth and inflation forecast at 5.5 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively for the current fiscal.

Emaar plans 1km-plus tower in Asia: Chairman

 

Chairman of Dubai’s Emaar Properties, Mohamed Alabbar, is looking at plans to build a 1km plus tower in Asia, according to Arabian Business.

In an interview to be published on Sunday in the magazine, Alabbar said: “Of course I want to. I am looking. I have a wish. I will try.”

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed is currently developing the 1km high Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, which is set to be taller than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

However, Alabbar said his own project would be “a little taller” than the one in Jeddah.

He said: “The answer is yes I want to try. It is quite a task with safety issues and making sure it is done right. It’s typical human progress. We have done fabulous stuff here; we know what the value is.”

A location in Asia has already been identified and preliminary drawings done, Alabbar was quoted by the publication as saying.

Asked whether it was likely to happen, Alabbar said: “I would like that, it would be very special.”

Emaar has undergone a resurgence in the past year with its share price rising by more than 80 percent.

The 2012 results showed an 18 percent rise in net profits to $577m from $2.24bn of revenue.

The shopping malls and retail side of the business accounted for $740m in revenue last year – a 27 percent increase on the previous year.

One of world’s largest fish markets to open in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is planning to launch one of the world’s largest fish market in August and officials said the facility will be served by 75 shops and 500 boats to cater for the needs of consumers in the capital and other UAE emirates.

Besides fish caught locally, the market will also import fish from Japan, China, and other countries and services will include both retail and wholesale shopping.

The modern market has already been constructed at the sprawling Mushref Mall on Murour Road in the city and it has been supplied with all necessary equipment for various services including selling, cleaning of fish, cooking or grilling, and eating.

“What distinguishes this market from other fish markets in the UAE is that it has been supplied with equipment to eliminate bad smell inside the market,” said Ali Mohammed Al Mansoori, adviser at the Abu Dhabi Fishermen Association.

Quoted by the Dubai-based Arabic language daily, he said cleaning service prices would be at least 60 per cent below the price at other market, adding that the new market would also be equipped with recycling facilities that will produce high quality fodder for chicken and fish aquariums.

Mansoori said the market would initially handle around 30 tonnes of fish per day before the quantity increases to 50 tonnes per day at a later stage.

“We expect customers from Abu Dhabi and all other emirates as the market will have types of fish that are not available at other markets in the country.”

Mansoori said the market would operate for 15 hours a day between 7.00 am until 10 pm, adding that he expects the market to become a tourism destination.

“Around 500 boats will serve that market…local fishermen will supply between 40 and 50 tonnes of fish to the market every day,” he added.

Abu Dhabi city, with a population of more than one million, currently has a small fish market in Zayed City and a larger one near Port Zayed.

Official data showed the UAE is one of the largest fish producers in the Arab region, with output exceeding 150,000 tonnes in 2012.

Buddhists-Muslims violence spreads in Myanmar

MEIKHTILA, March 25, 2013 Sectarian clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar spread to at least two other towns in the country’s heartland over the weekend, undermining government efforts to quash an eruption of violence that has killed dozens of people and displaced 10,000 more.

President Thein Sein declared a state of emergency in the region on Friday and deployed army troops to the worst hit city, Meikhtila. But even as soldiers were able to impose order there after several days of anarchy that saw armed Buddhists torch the city’s Muslim quarters, unrest was reported in two other towns to the south.

Late Sunday, state television said that mobs burned down a mosque and 50 homes on Saturday in Yamethin, about 64 kilometres from Meikhtila, and another mosque and several buildings were also set ablaze in Lewei, further south near the capital, Naypyitaw.

The government has put the total death toll at 32, and authorities say they have detained at least 35 people allegedly involved in arson and violence in the region.

The spread of violence is posing major challenged to stability as Thein Sein’s administration.

Two similar episodes rocked western Rakhine state last year, pitting ethnic Rakhine Buddhists against Rohingya Muslims who are widely denigrated as illegal migrants from Bangladesh and are denied passports as a result. The Muslim population of central Myanmar, by contrast, is mostly of Indian origin and does not face the same questions over nationality.

Analysts say the emergence of sectarian conflict here is a worrying development, one that indicates violent anti-Muslim sentiment has spread unabated into the country’s heartland. Muslims make up about four per cent of the predominantly Buddhist country’s roughly 60 million people.

The bloodshed “shows that inter-communal tensions in Myanmar are not just limited to the Rakhine and Rohingya in northern Rakhine state,” said Jim Della-Giacoma of the International Crisis Group. “Myanmar is a country with dozens of localized fault lines and grievances that were papered over during the authoritarian years that we are just beginning to see and understand. It is a paradox of transitions that greater freedom does allows these local conflicts to resurface.”

“If a democratic state is the nation’s goal, they need to find a place for all its people as equal citizens,” Della-Mr. Giacoma said. “Given the country’s history, it won’t be easy.”

On Sunday, Vijay Nambiar, the U.N. secretary-general’s special adviser on Myanmar, toured Meikhtila and called on the government to punish those responsible.

Mr. Nambiar said he was encouraged to learn that some individuals in both communities had bravely helped each other and that religious leaders were now advocating peace. He said the people he spoke to believe the violence “was the work of outsiders,” but he gave no details.

“There is a certain degree of fear and anxiety among the people, but there is no hatred,” Mr. Nambiar said after visiting both groups on Sunday and promising the United Nations would provide as much help as it can to get the city back on its feet. “They feel a sense of community and that it is a very good thing because they have worked together and lived together.”

But he added — “It is important to catch the perpetrators. It is important that they be caught and punished.”

In Meikthila, at least five mosques were set ablaze from Wednesday to Friday. The majority of homes and shops burned in the city also belonged to Muslims, and most of the displaced are Muslim. Dozens of corpses were piled in the streets, some of them charred beyond recognition.

During his trip, Mr. Nambiar visited some of the thousands of Muslim residents at a city stadium, where they have huddled since fleeing their homes. He later visited around 100 Buddhists at a local monastery who have also been displaced.

“The city is calm and some shops have reopened, but many still live in fear. Some still dare not return to their homes,” said Win Htein, an opposition lawmaker from the city.

Myanma Ahlin, a state-run newspaper, carried a statement from Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and Hindu leaders expressing sorrow for the loss of life and property and calling on Buddhist monks to help ease tensions.

“We would like to call upon the government to provide sufficient security and to protect the displaced people and to investigate and take legal measures as urgently as possible,” the statement from the Interfaith Friendship Organization said.

Muslims, who make up about 30 per cent of Meikhtila’s 100,000 inhabitants, have stayed off the streets since their shops and homes were burned and Buddhist mobs armed with machetes and swords began roaming the city.

Little appeared to be left of some palm tree-lined neighbourhoods, where the legs of victims could be seen poking out from smouldering masses of twisted debris and ash. Broken glass, charred cars and motorcycles and overturned tables littered roads beside rows of burned-out homes and shops, evidence of the widespread chaos that swept the town.

Chaos began Wednesday after an argument broke out between a Muslim gold shop owner and his Buddhist customers. Once news spread that a Muslim man had killed a Buddhist monk, Buddhist mobs rampaged through a Muslim neighbourhood and the situation quickly spiralled out of control.

Residents and activists said the police did little to stop the rioters or reacted too slowly, allowing the violence to escalate.

Kundapur:Easter celebrated at Mother Rosario church

Kundapur:March.30:Re birth of Jesus Christ after 3 days of his crusification (Pasca Festival) was celebrated at Kundapur Mother Rosario church. Church priest Fr.Praveen Martiz led the prayers by lighting a candle after switching off all the lights to mark the re birth of the holy spirit.

Thousands of devotees attended the prayers at the church. The religious rituals were held under the supervision of Kundapur Catholic priest Rev.Fr.Anil D’Souza.

“Accepting activists demand,I am ready to contest”:Raghupathi Bhat

Udupi:March.31:”Accepting the demand of the activists,I am ready to contest from Udupi constituency” said MLA Raghupathi Bhat. Udupi town and rural committee meeting of the BJP was held at Udupi on Sunday. Raghupathi Bhat’s name was nominated unopposed at the meeting for Udupi constituency assembly election to be held on May 5.

Raghupathi Bhat said “I am ready to contest,if the senior leaders will permit me”. Town committee president Manohar Kalmadi and rural committee president H.Ratnakar Shetty were present at the meeting. BJP Dist.president said he will inform the decision to the State unit according to a statement released after the meeting.

The activists visited Raghupathi Bhat’s residence on Saturday and demanded him to contest from Udupi constituency.

Maunday Thursday observed at Kundapur Mother Rosario church

Kundapur:March.28:’Maundy Thursday’ was observed at Kundapur Mother Rosario Church on Thursday. Rev.Fr.Anil D’Souza carried out rituals of washing the feet of chosen devotees at the church.

Jesus Christ attended his last supper with his devotees when he came to know about his crusification and washed their feets. He called them to follow his footsteps and serve the people of the world.(News and Phots by Bernard J.Costa)

Mangalore:Footwear shop gutted in fire;Rs.35 lakh worth of goods destroyed

Mangalore:March.29:The fire broke out a footwear shop near city’s Rao & Rao circle on Thursday night. The incident took place due to the electric short circuit. ‘Mahadev Footwear’ shop located at Vasudev Enclave was gutted and lakhs of Rupees worth footwear were burned in the fire. The Civil Defense team led by the Fire Fighting team officer Varadaraj reached the spot immediately and controlled the fire. Bunder and Pandeshwar Police team also helped them to bring the fire under control.

More than Rs.35 lakhs of goods were destroyed in the fire said shop owners Arun and Ashok. Vidhana Sabha Deputy speaker N.Yogeesh Bhat visited the spot and made an inspection. A case has been registered at Bunder Police station.

Unlimited power cuts in Udupi/D.K.districts due to production shortage in UPCL

Udupi/Mangalore:March.29:Due to the shortage of electricity production at the UPCL,Udupi and D.K.districts will face unlimited power cuts according to a statement released from MESCOM office at Mangalore.

‘Good Friday’ observed at Mother Rosario church Kundapur

Kundapur:March.29:‘Good Friday’ was observed at Kundapur Mother Rosario church on Friday. Christians took a procession to mark the ‘The Way of Cross’ which took place before the crucification of Jesus Christ. Special prayers were offered under the leadership of Kundapur zone Catholic priest Rev.Fr.Anil D’Souza. His Deputy, Kundapur St.Mary’s Junior College Principal Fr.Praveen Martiz took part in the prayer rituals.(Photos and News By Bernard J.Casta)

Indians vote like cattle: Markandey Katju

New Delhi:March.30:India is not a full-fledged democracy as 90 percent of its people vote like sheep and cattle, Press Council of India chairman Justice Markandey Katju said here Saturday.

Speaking to TV channel Headlines Today, Katju said: “Ninety percent Indians vote in droves like sheep and cattle. They are like a herd of cattle voting along caste and religious lines.”

“Because Indians vote like livestock, there are so many criminals in parliament,” he added.

The former Supreme Court judge said that he would not vote as India was being run by leaders elected on the basis of their caste, which is not the true form of democracy.

“I won’t vote because my vote is meaningless. Votes are cast in the name of Jats, Muslims, Yadavs or Harijans. Democracy is not meant to be run like this. Why should I waste my time in joining the cattle queue?” he said.

Boasting of his secular credentials, Katju said that he was against communal forces and “by being secular, if I am branded a Congressman, you are entitled to your view”.

Katju has been in news for seeking a pardon for actor Sanjay Dutt and Zaibunnisa Kazi, charged with illegal possession of arms in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case by the Supreme Court.

Katju has argued that Dutt stacked the weapons for self defence and to protect his family from the threats that they were getting in the aftermath of the Babri demolition.

“Sanjay Dutt is a shattered man. He has suffered enough but he has reformed,” he said.

Katju said that he was prepared to seek pardons for other stars, Saif Ali Khan and Salman Khan, who have been charged for killing endangered blackbucks in Jodhpur.

“I will study their cases and if I am satisfied that I should speak out, I will surely plead their case,” he said.

Accused of being hungry for publicity, the former judge said that “seeking publicity is a form of vulgarity”. He added that he never chases controversy but what can he do if controversy chases him.

He also mocked Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and his former associate Anna Hazare, saying that corruption was a “malaise which cannot be eradicated in the next 20 years”.

“This campaign is like the tale told by an idiot signifying nothing. There’s no morality code in the country, so corruption cannot be wiped out,” Katju said.

Two villages in Udupi decide to vote against elections

Udupi:March.30:People of Padukudru and Padukudru villages have decided to boycott the Assembly elections protesting against the apathy of political parties towards their long-pending demand for better road connectivity between the two villages.

The villages are home to around 1,000 people and comprise nearly 200 houses. The villages are part of the Kemmannu Gram Panchayat, which is a segment of the Udupi Assembly constituency.

People here are angry their grievance not been attended to by any political party over the last five years. The villagers have put up a big banner at the entrance of Padukudru, announcing their decision to boycott the elections.

The road in Padukudru is riddled with potholes, while nearly a 2 km-stretch leading to Baligarkudru is a ‘kucha’ road.

Bhaskar Puthran, a mason, said people had been demanding for a road from Padukudru to Baligarkudru for the last 13 years. The ‘kucha’ road is particularly dangerous during the monsoon. “We have approached the gram panchayat and all political parties. Except giving false promises during elections, politicians have done nothing,” he said.

Rajesh Belchetra, a coconut husker, said construction of a good road was necessary because the area is prone to flooding. “Nobody is interested in our welfare. Why should we vote? Even after the people put up the banner, no one has bothered to come and enquire about our grievances,” he said.

Keshav Karkera, an agricultural worker, said autorickshaw drivers refused to come to Baligarkudru because of bad road. “During emergencies, it is difficult to get a vehicle and move people. We will boycott the polls unless something is done about the road,” he said.

Prakash Bangera, fisherman, said he experienced a harrowing time cycling to work.

“The potholes are so deep that I ride my bicycle with great difficulty. Neither the gram panchayat nor the MLA has done anything for the road. We have also been demanding street lights,” he said.

M.T. Reju, Deputy Commissioner, told that the administration would try to persuade people to participate in the elections. “Boycotting election is not a solution. Their demand could be looked into after the elections,” he said.

‘Welfare Party of India’ D.K.unit urges Central Govt.to help Saudi new labor law victims

Mangalore:March.30:’Welfare Party of India’ D.K.unit has urged the Central Govt.to help the NRI’s in Saudi Arabia who are facing the threat of deportation or jail terms due to the changes in Saudi Arabia Interior Ministery’s new labor law policy.

The Indian Govt.should interfere on the humanitarian grounds and help them to return safely to India and provide alternative job opportunities urged D.K.unit of ‘Welfare Party of India’.

Supply of gas through pipeline soon at Udupi and Mangalore

Udupi/Mangalore:March.30:It is most likely that the people of Udupi and Mangalore cities are going to have ‘gas pipeline’ fixed at their homes soon according to a reliable source. The Minister of petroleum Dr.M.Veerappa Moily has responded to a request made by the Karnataka CM Jagdish Shettar to connect the Dabhol-Bidadi gas pipeline to D.K.and Udupi districts via Hubli and Dharwar. The sign of expansion of gas pipeline through out the Karavali region is most likely to happen soon.

In the initial stage,the pipe line will be installed in cities only. Rural area people will not get advantage of this facility in the initial stage. The supply of LPG cylinders might stop in the cities soon.

Bus driver killed in accident

Mangalore:March.30:The driver of a bus was killed when it toppled at Kalpane near Shaktinagar on Saturday evening. The incident took place when the driver lost control of his bus.

The deceased is identified as Nandish(40),a resident of Kulashekhara Saripalli. The bus was going to Shaktinagar from Mangaladevi. More than 30 passengers were travelling in the bus at the time of the incident. 8 people recieved minor injuries and left home after getting first aid treatment according to the information recieved from the Police.

Duo arrested for theft of electronic goods worth Rs 4.8 lakh

MANGALORE: The Kadri police achieved a breakthrough in a serial, theft case with the arrest of two persons at Mision Compound, Balmatta on Tuesday.

The arrested are – Muneer Ahmed alias Goods Muneer (57) from Bunder and Ibrahim BM (67) from Manjeshwar, Kasargod District, Kerala. The latter was working as a watchman at a liquor store.

The value of the seized goods was estimated at Rs 4.87 lakh. The recovered stolen goods included eight laptops, four LCD TVs, one air conditioner, four digital cameras, three mobiles, a CC camera, a scooter etc. The duo had targeted shops at Balmatta, Bendore, Urwa, Bejai Kapikkad, Valencia and PVS in the city. Police said more recoveries are on the cards.

Kundapur man among two Indians killed in Central African Republic

New Delhi/Kundapur (Udupi dist). March 26, 2013, DHNS: Two Indians – one from Kattu of Hemmadi Gram Panchayat limits in Kundapur taluk and another from Lucknow – were mistakenly killed by French soldiers in the Central African Republic on Monday, when they were apparently trying to leave the country that plunged into chaos following a coup two days back.

France has conveyed its regret to India and promised a probe into the incident.
Krishnayya Mogaveera, 37, of Kattu and Karna Bahadur of Lucknow were killed, when the French soldiers guarding the Banqui M’Poko International Airport opened fire on the vehicles they were travelling in. Six Indians and a few other Chadians were injured in the incident.

France claimed that the tragic incident had taken place as its soldiers had mistaken the vehicles carrying Indian and Chadian nationals as those of the gunmen loyal to rebel leader Michel Djotodia, who has proclaimed himself as the new President of the Central African Republic, after dethroning Francois Bozize in a coup last Sunday.

French President Francois Hollande wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express regret for the tragic incident and promised to order an investigation into it.

Singh received the letter from Hollande late on Monday, soon after he landed at Durban in South Africa to attend the fifth BRICS summit. Defence Minister A K Antony too received a call from his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday.

Antony requested Drian to ensure the safety of the other Indian nationals in the Central African Republic.

Central African Republic ceased to be a French colony in 1960. France, however, continued to have its soldiers in the country to protect its interests. The French government last Saturday sent additional troops to protect the airport in Banqui, after reports indicated that the rebels led by Djotodia were preparing to stage a coup to overthrow Bozize.

Trading, a main business

Mogaveera and Bahadur were among about 100 Indians living in Central African Republic, mostly engaged in trading and construction works, in and around the capital town of Banqui. The incident took place at a time when tension prevailed in and around Banqui, after 13 South African soldiers, deployed in Central African Republic, were killed by the gunmen loyal to Djotodia.

Paris is understood to have conveyed to New Delhi that the French soldiers guarding the M’Poko International Airport in Banqui had been fired upon from unidentified gunmen at around 11 30 am IST on Monday. A truck had tried to break into the airport, but made a U-turn and sped away from the scene after being fired upon.

“About an hour later,” said a senior official in Delhi, “three vehicles were seen speeding into the airport. They ignored the warning shots fired by the French troops and continued to move towards the airport at a very high speed. The French soldiers then opened fire at the vehicles, killing two Indians and injuring others.”

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence of the French government on Tuesday, the soldiers immediately took care of the injured Indian and Chadian nationals. “Deeply regretting this tragedy, the French Minister of Defence has ordered an inquiry to ascertain the exact circumstances. All light will be shed in liaison and full transparency with the Indian and Chadian authorities.”

Sources told Deccan Herald that the injured Indians and Chadians were flown to a medical facility of the French Army at N’Djamena, the capital of neighbouring Chad

They brought laurels despite poor facilities

MANGALORE, March 27, 2013 Abhishek N. Shetty and Sonith Mendon consider themselves lucky that sprint events in the All India Inter University Athletics Meet in West Bengal were held on mud track. “There would have been difficulties if the events were held on a synthetic track,” said Abhishek. Sonith said for the past two years they have been denied decent facilities for practice at Mangala Stadium.

They were speaking on the sidelines of a programme at Mangalore University to felicitate them.

Abhishek and Sonith were among the 83 sports persons felicitated by the university on Tuesday for excelling in national, State and intercollegiate sporting events. The university also felicitated 14 students, who brought honours to the university in various Inter-University cultural events.

Abhishek, a final year B.Com student, won the gold medal in the decathlon event; Sonith, a Post Graduate Diploma Student, won silver medals in 100 metres and 200 metres running. The two were a part of the team of athletes representing Mangalore University in West Bengal Meet in January. Both are now preparing for the All India Open Athletic Tournament to be held in Patiala in the last week of April. “The events in this tournament will be on synthetic tracks. I have no other go but to practice on the mud track of the NMPT Grounds,” Sonith said.

Ravindra, a 1st year BA student from Udupi, had difficulty in adjusting to the cold climate in Rajasthan – the venue of the Inter University Best Physique Championship organised by Mohanlal Sukhadia University in February. “It was too cold. It was difficult for me to excel among the 52 participants,” said Mr. Ravindra, who went on to win the yellow medal. Director of Physical Education, Mysore University, C. Krishna stressed the need for sportspersons to cultivate fair play and healthy sporting attitude. Sports enthusiasts should not fall for doping to achieve success. They should also not fall in trap of institutions that admit sportspersons to their colleges to get name in sports.

Supporting sport

Vice Chancellor T.C. Shivashankar Murthy said the university has been encouraging sportspersons by giving scholarship of Rs. 1,000 every month to 45 undergraduates. The university is also giving two credits per semester to those who excel in sports, NCC and NSS activities.

Today’s politics is in the hands of ‘note distributing hands’:Prathapchandra Shetty

Kundapur:March.27:Once popularly known as the ‘undefeated King’ and titled ‘Kundapur Congress emperor’, former MLA and present MLC,Prathapchandra Shetty will bring the victory to the party if he decides to contest from Kundapur constituency according to the opinion of the Congress party activists. Once it was believed ‘Congress means Prathapchandra Shetty’ and Prathapchandra Shetty means Congress. His ‘dictator’ type behavior and attitude of ‘no competition against him’ was a history. But whatever the charges labelled against him,he was showing his presence for public help whenever needed when he was an MLA. The Police dept.and the govt.office staff used to respect him because of his approach towards the public works. Whenever the police officials used to harass the people,he will go to their help and take the police officials to task. He should not taken his first ever defeat from this constituency seriously opined the Congress party leaders.

He lost the election with a meager margin. He should have continued his participation from Kundapur constituency said the Congress activists. If he decides to contest from our constituency, the Congress party’s win is 100% according to the activists.

But the leader seems to be unhappy. He said “I love my constituency and the people of my constituency. But today’s politics is totally in the hands of ‘Note distributing hands’. It is necessary to have ‘bundles of notes’ earned from illegal sources and I do not have them. Each currency note I have earned is from my hard work. How can I spent that much of money he questioned. There is no faith and honesty in today’s politics. That is why I am standing far from it he said.

Udupi:Raghupathi Bhat withdraws his name from the upcoming election after sex CD humiliation

Udupi:March.28:Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat is the swindle of ‘sex CD’ scandal. The CD contained the sex activity of Raghupathi Bhat with an identified woman. The CD is in circulation in Udupi district from the past 15 days. An unidentified persons have delivered a copy of the CD to media offices in the state capital today morning.

Reacting to the incident,Raghupathi said “I came to about the CD  only today. I am shocked and humiliated by this incident. The figure inside the CD is not definitely me. Some one has tried to tarnish my image”. He said he will not contest in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Earlier Raghupathi Bhat was suspected in the murder case of his wife Padmapriya, immediately after he won the Udupi assembly seat. The latest sex CD episode has dented the image of MLA Bhat beyond repair and has also been a major blow to the ruling party which has already been rocked by several sex scandals.

New Saudi labour policy major issue for India: Vayalar Ravi

Thiruvananthapuram, March 28, 2013 (IANS): A new Saudi labour policy reserving 10 percent of jobs for locals is a major issue for India as it could lead to reduced employment there for Indians, a senior minister said Thursday.

“It’s a serious issue that will affect not only India but also other countries. Yesterday I spoke to the Indian ambassador in Saudi Arabia and has asked him to keep me informed on all the developments,” Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told TV channels in Kerala.

The deadline for implmenting the new policy, called Nitaqat, ended Wednesday. Under this, 10 percent of jobs even in small and medium business establishments should be reserved for Saudi nationals.

Kerala’s Diaspora Minister K.C.Joseph has said that the state government is seized of the issue and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will be getting in touch with the prime minister and other central ministers to ensure they make the necessary interventions.

“The one advantage that we have is our country has excellent relations with the Saudi government. At the same time if they have such a new rule, it’s a policy of theirs and all what we can do is to intervene in the most soft manner, expressing to them our problems and the implications it would have on our economy as there would be huge unemployment in our state if the rule gets implemented in letter and spirit,” Joseph said.

According to the annual report of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Saudi Arabia continues to be the desired destination among low- and semi-skilled workers from India, attracting 289,297 people in 2011.

In 2011, 2.28 million Keralites were working abroad. Of them, some 570,000 are in Saudi Arabia

JCI Kundapur holds ‘World Glaucoma week’;free optics distributed to the students

Kundapur:March.28: Free optics were distributed to the students on the occasion of ‘World Glaucoma week 2013-14′ public awareness programme held at Kundapur. The programme was sponsored by JCI Kundapur(Dist.blindness Easement unit) Udupi and Taluk Public hospital Kundapur.

Ajay Bhandarkar welcomed the guests. JCI Kundapur president Jacee N.Prakash presided over the programme. Dr.Dinakar,senior eye specialist was present as the Chief guest at the programme. He hi lighted the importance of the programme and distributed the opticals to the students.

Former Jaycee Kundapur unit president Jaycee Ratnakar,eye assistant Sharanappa Dibbadamani and staff Smt.Mohini,smt.Chandravathi were present at the programme. Secretary Jaycee Ravi Raj Achar proposed vote of thanks. School children,Hospital staff and Jaycee members were present at the programme.

Agitation against Toll Gate;Surathkal Bandh successful

Mangalore:March.27:The ‘Toll Gate Agitation committee’ and ‘Surathkal citizen’s Committee’ jointly called for a’Surathkal Bandh’ on Wednesday opposing the installation of Toll Gate near NITK by IRKAN company on NH 66.

The shops remained closed since morning. The protesters stopped few vehicles in the morning for some time but later did not disturbed the movement of the traffic on NH 66 and took part in a peaceful Bandh. The Police units were deployed to avoid any unwanted incidents. Surathkal returned to normal in the evening.

Addressing the protesters,Surathkal Citizens Agitation committee president Subhashchandra Shetty said “According to the law,there is no permission to construct a toll gate within the limits of a town Municipality. But IRKAN company is trying to break the law. This is a illegal construction. We will answer them through a legal fight”.

Corporators Revathi Puthran,Ashok Shetty,Prathibha Kulai,Sumithra and Ayaaz were present in the protest.

Protest over ‘Surathkal Toll Gat

Surathkal:March.25:’Surathkal citizens Agitation committee’ and NITK had protested over the installation of the ‘Toll Gate’ at NH 66 near Surthkal NITK on Monday. The officers of IRAN company with the help of the Police,tried to start the work on the construction of the Toll Gate on Monday. The members of the ‘Surthkal Citizen committee’ reached the spot and started arguing with the officers.

The Company project officer Mishra tried to explain the intention of the govt. and the necessity of the Toll gate to the protesters.

There are 3 schools and 1 well known engineering college near the NITK. The college campus is on both the sides of the National highway. The traffic is normally heavy near NITK and the vehicles sound is creating disturbances on student’s studies. There will be another obstacle on the part of the security of the students. D.K.Dist.Commissioner has instructed the company to get an approval from the NITK experts before starting the job on the construction of the Toll Gate. But the company has ignored the instructions.

The Toll Gate is being constructed with the intention of collecting more money in this part because of the heavy traffic. The project should be stopped immediately urged committee secretary Yathish Baikampadi. We will stage protests and road blocks unless this project is dropped immediately he said.

City Corporation members Revathi Puthran,Sumithra, citizen committee’s Mahabala Rai,T.N.Ramesh,Pushparaj Shetty Kadambooru,Sathyajith Surathkal,Ramachandra Baikampadi and others were present at the protest.

Krishna wants to contest poll

Banglore: March 25, 2013, DHNS: Former Union Minister S M Krishna is learnt to have expressed his willingness to contest Assembly elections scheduled for May 5.

While discussing with his followers, Krishna reportedly expressed his inclination to contest. If the party refuses to give him the ticket, he has said, he is ready to campaign for the party candidates.

He has reportedly conducted surveys in Maddur in Mandya district and Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bangalore Assembly segments and also discussed with leaders from these constituencies about the chances of winning, if contested.

Krishna, who was sulking after his removal from the Union ministership, met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi last week and discussed the polls. However, sources in the party said it is unlikely to field any sitting MPs or MLCs for the elections this time despite many seeking tickets. Krishna still has a year left before his current Rajya Sabha term ends.

Prepaid auto service resumes at Mangalore Central

MANGALORE, March 26, 2013 A new prepaid counter for autorickshaw started functioning at Mangalore Central Railway Station on Monday. The station did not have the service for the past two months.

The new counter, which is one of the two counters funded by Corporation Bank, will be manned by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Autorickshaw Drivers’ Association. They will use two hand-held devices, provided by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for issuing challans showing the fare and also the autorickshaw number.

“We want to erase the bad impression about autorickshaw drivers,” said the association’s president Jayaprakash Shetty. A committee of seven autorickshaw drivers have been formed to oversee the functioning of the counter. “To start with, we will continue with Re. 1 as service charge. Decision about revising the service charge will be taken by officials if it is found unviable,” said association’s treasurer Pundalik Nayak.

Prepaid autorickshaw service was started at the Mangalore Central Railway Station and KSRTC Bus Stand at Bejai on October 2, 2011. Mangalore Association for Travel Agents was given the task of operating the two units for one year. Though the association could operate smoothly at the railway station, it found difficulty in running the counter at KSRTC Bus Stand for want of staff. The counter at the stand is not operating now.

The travel agents’ association operated Mangalore Central Railway counter till December 2012. It was not operational from January, 2013.

In a meeting on March 21, it was decided to permit the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike’s Autorickshaw Drivers Association to operate the new counter at Central. A similar counter would come up at Mangalore Junction Railway Station, which will be manned by the Bharat Mazdoor Sangh’s Autorickshaw Union.

The Rakshana Vedike Association held a function on Monday to inaugurate the counter. “We have problems in using the hand-held device as names of the areas entered in the device are not in an order. We are planning to have a chart to help the device user,” Mr. Shetty said.

Belthangadi:Tanker topples;petrol,diesel harvest

Belthangadi:March.26: A diesel tanker overturned near Kashibettu curve at Dharmasthala-Mangalore state highway on Tuesday. The tanker was carrying petrol and diesel in 2 separate compartments and was heading towards Ujire. The driver lost control of the tanker at the curve and as a result it overturned in a wet land. The driver got injuries and admitted to a private hospital in Mangalore.

The oil started leaking from the tanker after the incident. The locals filled their cans and barrels with the soaring oil from the tanker. Hundreds of people took the oil from the tanker. The civil defense vehicle reached the spot and took precaution to avoid the possible explosion from the incident.

Byndoor:New activists joins the Congress party

Byndoor:March.25: A programme was held to join the new activists to the Congress party at Alandooru area of Yedthere village panchayath. The BJP and other party activists from Alandooru,Kesni,Mudooru and other villages have officially joined the Congress party.

Addressing the programme,former MLA K.Gopal Poojari said “The last 5 years were spent by the BJP govt. in corruption and selfishness of its leaders.  The BJP leaders have neglected the welfare of the voters and the party activists for their selfish gains. That is why every where their  party activists are joining the Congress party”.

Byndoor Block Congress president Ramesh Ganiga said “The people have recognized the development made by the Congress party earlier and at the same time they understood the worst administration from the BJP govt. The Coming election will teach a lesson to the BJP party”.

Udupi Dist.Congress vice president Raju Poojari,Shiruru village panchayath former president Manjunath Poojari,Youth Congress president Subramanya Poojari,Subraya Sheregar and Ramu Mestha were present at the programme.

Protest against ‘Surathkal Toll Gate’

Surathkal:March.25:’Surathkal citizens committee’ and NITK had protested against the installation of the ‘Toll Gate’ at NH 66 near Surthkal NITK on Monday. The officers of IRAN company with the help of the Police,tried to start the work on the construction of the Toll Gate on Monday. The members of the ‘Surthkal Citizen committee’ reached the spot and started arguing with the officers.

The Company project officer Mishra tried to explain the intention of the govt. and the necessity of the Toll gate to the protesters.

There are 3 schools and 1 well known engineering college near the NITK. The college campus is on both the sides of the National highway. The traffic is normally heavy near NITK and the vehicles sound is creating disturbances on student’s studies. There will be another obstacle on the part of the security of the students. D.K.Dist.Commissioner has instructed the company to get an approval from the NITK experts before starting the job on the construction of the Toll Gate. But the company has ignored the instructions.

The Toll Gate is being constructed with the intention of collecting more money in this part because of the heavy traffic. The project should be stopped immediately urged committee secretary Yathish Baikampadi. We will stage protests and road blocks unless this project is dropped immediately he said.

City Corporation members Revathi Puthran,Sumithra, citizen committee’s Mahabala Rai,T.N.Ramesh,Pushparaj Shetty Kadambooru,Sathyajith Surathkal,Ramachandra Baikampadi and others were present at the protest.

Malpe:Unidentified group hi jacks 3 deep fishing boats near Sadashivagada sea;20 fishermen kidnapped

Malpe:March.23:A group of unidentified persons have looted 3 deep fishing boats left for fishing from Malpe port and kidnapped 20 fishermen. Rs.15 lakhs worth of fish was also looted from these boats according to the sources.

‘Rajalaxmi’,'Jagmohan’ and ‘Sarvesh’ deep fishing boats left for deep fishing from Malpe port 10 days ago. When they were fishing near Karwar-Sadashivagada 15 knotical miles distance on Friday morning,an identified group of people stopped and attacked the fishermen. The team hi jacked all the 3 boats and looted their fish worth lakhs of Rupees. The culprits even took the money from the pockets of the fishermen. The owners were notified about the incident by the fishermen but their mobile phones went switched off after sometime. The contact with them cannot be established after the incident, the boat owner said. The group must have kidnapped the fishermen and their families are worried about their fate. A complaint has been lodged to the Fishermen’s Association.

Kundapur:’Blood group classification’ camp held at Hangloor Hr.Pr.school

Kundapur:March.24:A ‘Blood group classification camp’ sponsored by Rotary Club Kundapur was held at Hangloor Badakere Higher Primary schoool of Kundapur taluk recently. Udupi ‘Chavana compnay’ chief P.A.Bhat hi lighted the importance of the programme.

A water filter was donated by the Rotary club Kundapur to the school HM Smt.Khurshid Begum. Kundapur Rotary club president RO Kotladi Subhaschandra Shetty presided over the programme. Rotary members RO Shripaada Upadhyaya,RO Muttayya Shetty,RO Prakash Shetty,RO Manoj,RO Venkatesh and school staff and SDMC president were present at the function.

Belthangadi:’Honey bee’ attacks worshipers

Belthangadi:March.24: More than 80 people were injured when ‘Honey Bee’ attacked them on Sunday evening. Around 500 Christian worshippers hailing from Belthangadi Holy Ridimar Church were going to offer prayers at ‘Gudaikallu’ hill which is 1100 feet in hight at Belthangadi on the occasion of ‘Black Month’ prayers which falls prior to ‘Good Friday’. The team reached the hill at 2.30 pm in different vehicles and started climbing the hill. Church Father James D’Souza and his deputy,Father Melwin Narohna led the team.

After offering the prayers,church Father James D’Souza urged the worshippers to return to their homes without chasing the honey bees which might attack them. But a team from Ujire started climbing the hill and all of a sudden the bees started attacking them. It was a narrow path and no one can run here and there on the hill. Elderly persons,women and children were also in the team. The persons who went up could not come down.

First aid was provided to the injured at the bottom of the hill. Few of them recieved moderate injuries. 7-8 People were taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Social workers and locals came to the help of the visitors when the news spread about the incident

Clash between 2 community youths;tense moments at Kemmannu

Kemmannu:March.23:The fight broke out again between the community youths at Kemmannu on Friday midnight when few Hindu youths insulted Muslim boys who were engaged in fixing the banners for a social party supposed to be held today at 5 pm at Town Hall. The incident happened outside ‘Sarovar Bar’ at Kemmannu.

In retaliation,around 30 Muslim youths from Hoode came to Kemmannu in bikes and cars to find the Hindu youths who attacked the Muslim boys. The Police also reached the spot immediately and additional police force was also called.

The Hindu boys who physically attacked the Muslim youths were found riding in their red coloured Enticer bike. The Police tried to stop the bike by creating a human barrier but failed in their attempt. The rider however recieved few severe lathi blows as he zoomed pass the 2 police barricades. The Police immediately jumped in their vehicles and tried to follow the bike but the culprit escaped.

The Registration number of the bike was noted by the Muslim youths and the Police is seeking the assistance from the RTO to identify the people.

Byndoor:Protest against electricity load shedding

Byndoor:March.23:Kundapur Taluk ‘Farmers Association’ led the protest with the help of the  general Public against the regular cuts in the supply of electricity, in front of Byndoor MESCOM office on Sunday. Udupi Dist.Farmers Association president Deepak Kumar Shetty addressing the protesters said “The people of the newly announced Byndoor taluk  are going through difficult time due to non stop load shedding. There is no proper water supply for the use of the agriculture. Students cannot do preparations for their ongoing examinations and the owner of the small scale industries are helpless. Even though ‘Varahi power plant’ and Padubidre Thermal power plants are located in Udupi district,the people are still facing power shortage and this is condemn able  MESCOM is trying to make an inside agreement for the supply of power to other states”.

MESCOM Asst.Engineer Siddesh said” the daily requirement of power supply in this area is 14 Mega Watt but only 6 mega watt power supply is available. There is no alternative except to cut the power supply”. He promised to inform the senior officers about the problems of the public.

But the protesters demanded the clarification from the senior officer itself.  Mahadevappa,senior officer at the MESCOM Byndoor office  came in the afternoon. He said “the load shedding is common factor during summer season. We will try to solve the current situation with in a weeks time’ he added.

Farmers Association vice president Vasanth Hegde,Yedthere village panchayath former president Ganesh Poojari,Madhukar Sheth,Subramanya Poojari and Pius led the protest.

Kundapur:Moving car catches fire near ‘Sangam Hotel’;no causalities

Kundapur:March.23:A moving car caught fire near Sangam Hotel Kundapur on Saturday evening. Rajesh,the owner of Kundapur’s'Sheth Building’ was driving his Maruthi 800 vehicle with his friend when he noticed smoke coming out of his car’s engine near Sangam Hotel on the National Highway 66.

The engine caught fire immediately after Rajesh and his friend got down from their car. The civil defence vehicle reached the spot immediately and put off the fire. Fortunately no unwanted incident took place. The traffic on NH 66 was jam for sometime at the time of the incident.

Kundapur:Sri Venkataramana Eng.medium school felicitates old students on its silver jubilee celebrations

Kundapur:March.23:The old students of Kundapur’Sri Venkataramana English Medium school’ were felicitated on the occasion of its silver jubilee celebrations. Sullia’s medical officer Dr.Aravind Hegde,Koteshwar ‘Radhesh Plastic India Pvt.Ltd. company executive director K.Rajendra Kamath,Managalore Karavali college professor Lohit P.Bangera,’Top ME U’ MBA graduate K.Sharathchandra Kamath and BE graduate Priya Acharya were felicitated by Manipal Global Education Foundation president T.V.Mohandas Pai,Mysore Ganesh Beedi works company’s Jagannath Shenoy,Zonal education officer Gopal Shetty and Infosys president Kundapur Vaman Kamath.

Sri Venkataramana Dev Trust president K.Mohandas Kamath welcomed the guests. Secretary K.Radhakrishna Shenoy addressed the function. Treasurer K.Srinivas Shenoy and managing committee members were present at the function.

Primary school HM Neetha Kamath,Higher Secondary school HM Jayanthi and PU College vice principal Usha were also present at the occasion.

Kaup:Younger brother killed in property dispute

Kundapur:March.21:’Nehru Youth Center’,Songs and Stage Drama Dept. Govt.of India,Yakshadegula Bangalore’ and ‘Youth Friends Club(R)’ in association with Heggarbailu Vakwadi have jointly organized a ‘Yakshagana Programme’ at Vakwadi village recently. Inaugurating the programme,Kalavara village panchayath president Sathish Vakwadi said “the art of Karavali Yakshagana can be understood very fast and easily. Health consciousness is possible through Yakshagana”.

Yakshaganadegula’s Sudarshan Uoorala Vakwadi,Anganwadi center activist Smt.Bhavani,S.Acharya,Youth center president Sadashiv Shettigar,Ranjith Vakwadi,Santhosh,Ramesh Shetty and others were present.

Srikara Prabhu may replace Bhat in Mangalore South

MANGALORE, March 22, 2013  Keeping with its tradition, the BJP is set to announce its candidates for eight Assembly constituencies in the district within two days.

The party had won Mangalore City South, Mangalore City North, Puttur and Sullia Assembly constituencies in the last Assembly election. Sullia is reserved for a candidate from the Scheduled Caste.

Sources said that the party had decided to field two-term MLA and former district in-charge minister J. Krishna Palemar from Mangalore City North, and S. Angara, a four-term MLA from Sullia.

Mangalore City South, represented by N. Yogish Bhat for four times, has another strong contender this time. Srikara Prabhu, president of Mangalore City South Assembly Committee of the BJP, has staked claim for the party ticket from the South. Sources in the party said the BJP was considering giving ticket to Mr. Prabhu, and fielding Mr. Bhat for the imminent Lok Sabha election.

ULB shock

The party had suffered a severe setback in this month’s elections to Mangalore City Corporation council in the South constituency, represented by Mr. Bhat, who is the Deputy Speaker in the Legislative Assembly. It managed to get only half of the total 22 seats it held under the South constituency in the 2007 elections to the council. The party, hence, is leaving no stone unturned to win back the voters.

Prestige battle in Puttur

Sources said that the party was making all efforts to retain the prestigious Puttur Assembly seat. In the last seven Assembly elections since 1983, the BJP had lost this constituency to the Congress only twice (1985, 1989).

Though rumours were rife a few days ago that the party might field the former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda from Puttur, sources said he was not the frontrunner now. Names of K.T. Shailaja Bhat, former president of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, Sanjeeva Matandoor, an active party worker and a director in the Board of Campco, and Sudha, a doctor and the sister of Santosh, organising secretary of the State unit of the party, were doing the rounds now.

In Bantwal, the party is likely to field a wealthy farmer — Rajesh Naik of Oddoor Farms — against B. Ramanath Rai of the Congress; and in Moodbidri, chairman of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy Umanath A. Kotian is likely to get the party ticket. The party is yet to decide a suitable candidate for Belthangady, the sources said.

Kundapur:Haladi Srinivas Shetty will contest as an independent candidate?

Kundapur:March.22:Ex MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty will contest as an independent candidate from Kundapur constituency according to the reliable sources. After promising a ministerial birth in the current CM Shettar cabinet,he was humiliated and kept out of the cabinet. He later resigned from his MLA seat and kept himself out of the political activities.

He is deciding to contest as an independent candidate from the Kundapur constituency in the coming election after a lot of pressure from his fans.

 Real Amazing Giant Snake Found in the Red Sea

 Amazing Giant Snake Found in the Red Sea that killed 320 tourists and 125 Egyptian divers, has been killed by a professional team of elite Egyptian scientists and qualified divers.

Names of the scientists who participated in the process of catching the huge snake were: D. Karim Mohammed, d. Mohammed Sharif, d. Mr. Sea, d. Mahmoud students, d. Mazen Al-Rashidi.

And the names of the divers who participated in the process of catching the huge snake were: Ahmed leader, Abdullah Karim, fisherman Knight, Wael Mohammed, Mohammed Haridi, spears Alvajuma, Mahmoud Shafik, a full-Sharif. The Snake body has been transferred to in the Egypt morgue at Sharm El Sheikh international animal.

Petitioners to move SC on NH 66 widening project

UDUPI: About 63 persons who will lose land to NH 66 widening project along Kundapur and Hejamady stretch are planning to move the Supreme Court before April 15 after HC quashed their petitions. They had sought in the high court to give direction to restrict the the width of NH66 to 45 metres as in the case of Dakshina Kannada district instead of the proposed 60 metres and NHAI to acquire land only to that extend.

The number of persons to move to the apex court is expected to increase as there is still 90 days to appeal before the Supreme Court after petitioners receiving the high court judgment copy. NHAI had taken up widening of the highway stretch between Kundapur and Surathkal, and Nanthoor Junction and Talapady under phase III of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) under build, operate, and transfer (BOT) basis.

Ashok Raj, president of National Highway 66 Land Acquisition Action Committee, told  press that in Dakshina Kannada the width of the four-lane highway has been restricted to 45 metres. ” However, in Udupi the width is 60 metres and it is discriminatory. All those who are likely to lose their land will move to the apex court seeking justice before April 15. The high court judgment copy is expected to arrive within a weeks time,” he added.

Wilfred Fernandes, a petitioner, has decided to communicate the grievance with road transport and highway minister CP Joshi through the website www.morth.nic.in.hangout.asp as the minister will be on Google Hangout on March 29 at 7.30pm.

This time around petitioners are planning to appoint an advocate from the region who is familiar with the issue as they feel an advocate from outside could not argue their case effectively in the high court.

Mumbai blasts: SC upholds Sanjay Dutt’s conviction

New Delhi, March 21, 2013 (IANS) The Supreme Court Thursday upheld the conviction of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt under the Arms Act in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and sent him to five years imprisonment. He was asked to surrender in four weeks.

Dutt, who was convicted under the Arms Act for illegally possessing weapons, had been awarded six years imprisonment by the TADA (Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) court.

However, the apex court reduced the sentence from six years to five years. This effectively means that Dutt will be in jail for three years and six months as he has already undergone 18 months imprisonment.

Prahlad Joshi appointed Karnataka BJP President

Bangalore, March 21, 2013 (PTI) Lok Sabha member Prahlad Joshi was today appointed state ruling BJP chief by national President Rajnath Singh to lead its tough battle in the May five Assembly polls.

The appointment of Joshi, representing Dharwad, was announced by Karnataka BJP just a day after the Election Commission declared the poll schedule.

Joshi pipped other contenders as he has a comparatively wider appeal and hails from north Karnataka which the party considers as its stronghold but where it is facing a threat to its prospects from former BJP strongman B S Yeddyurappa. Numerically powerful Lingayat community to which Yeddyurappa belongs has a strong presence in north Karnataka.

A second time Lok Sabha member from Dharwad, from where Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar also hails, 50-year-old Joshi, eclipsed former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Mangalore Lok Sabha member Nalin Kumar Kateel and Minister Govind M Karjol who were also in the race.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley and the party’s in-charge of Karnataka affairs Dharmendra Pradhan were in the city recently eliciting the views of key players in the the party’s state unit on a successor to K S Eshwarappa who resigned from the post earlier this month.

Gowda, hailing from coastal Karnataka, was not seen as somebody who had a mass appeal, first time MP Kateel was considered as “too inexperienced” while Karjol was an “outsider” as he is originally not from the ruling party.

Some BJP leaders also saw the “imprint” of senior party leader H N Anant Kumar in the selection of Joshi whose case he has reportedly taken up after Karjol fell out of the race.

Joshi has his task cut out, with just under seven weeks to go for polls. Anti-incumbency factor is weighing heavily on BJP leaders even as Yeddyurappa, who has formed Karnataka Janatha Paksha, is hell-bent on spoiling its party.

Reacting to Joshi’s appointment, Yeddyurappa said it wasn’t a surprise to him as Anant Kumar, his bete noire, has been persisting with his name. “Anant Kumar is afraid to head the sinking BJP ship and hence he has suggested Joshi’s name.”

Elected to Lok Sabha first in 2004 and returned to Parliament in 2009, Joshi has served on different Parliamentary committees. Joshi had served as General Secretary, BJP, Dharwad District, from 1995-98. He had held the position of President, BJP, Dharwad District from 1998-2003. He is now General Secretary of BJP in Karnataka.