Congress MLAs from Northern Karnataka step up pressure to enter cabinet
The growing demand has also brought the Congress’ internal power equations into sharp focus. BELAGAVI: With speculation over the long-awaited state Cabinet expansion and reshuffle intensifying, Congress MLAs from across Northern Karnataka have stepped up pressure on the party leadership, demanding greater representation in the ministry. Legislators from Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Dharwad and several districts in Kalyana Karnataka are lobbying for Cabinet berths, with party leaders saying at least two to three MLAs from each district are in the race. Belagavi has emerged as the focal point of the demand. Congress leaders from the district argue that the previous BJP government had four ministers from Belagavi and insist that the district, given its political importance and electoral strength, deserves at least three Cabinet positions. The growing demand has also brought the Congress’ internal power equations into sharp focus. Party sources said Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is keen on inducting Athani MLA Laxman Savadi, who joined the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections and played a key role in strengthening the party in the region. If political or caste considerations prevent Savadi’s induction, former Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar is seen as another strong contender. The demand for three berths has also fuelled the hopes of other Congress MLAs from Belagavi, mainly Ashok Pattan, Mahantesh Koujalagi and Asif Sait, who are believed to enjoy the backing of former CM Siddaramaiah’s camp. Naushad Bijapur Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“Where is Rahul Gandhi?” BJP asks four sharp questions about the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha’s foreign trip
The BJP has once again opened a front regarding Rahul Gandhi’s foreign travel. Amit Malviya raised questions, asking, “Does anyone know where Rahul Gandhi is? In which country is he vacationing? Who is he with? Who does he visit most often?” New Delhi: The BJP is attacking the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi over his foreign trip in the wake of the recent landslide in Wayanad, Kerala. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of failing to visit the affected area or meet the victims even several days after the accident. He also raised questions about Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip. Amit Malviya posted on the social media platform X on Sunday, claiming, “Rahul Gandhi has been out of India for a long time and no one knows his whereabouts.” He asked, “Does anyone know where Rahul Gandhi is? Which country is he vacationing in? Who is he with? Who does he visit often?” Raised questions about Rahul and Priyanka In another post, the BJP leader wrote, “The recent landslide in Wayanad claimed lives and caused widespread devastation, yet neither Rahul Gandhi nor Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the affected area to meet the victims.” He added, “The sensitivity of any public representative is measured by standing with the people in their most difficult times, not just reaching out during elections.” “Congress ecosystem silent” The BJP IT cell chief also noted in the post that the Congress “ecosystem,” which is otherwise quite vocal, appears to be completely silent on this issue. Landslide in Wayanad on July 7 On July 7, a massive landslide occurred in the Kalladi area near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district. The accident occurred at the site of the under-construction Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi Tunnel Project. Continuous heavy rains triggered a landslide, resulting in loss of life and property. Earlier, on July 30, 2024, Wayanad experienced a massive and historic landslide, completely devastated the villages of Punchirimattam, Choralmala, and Mundakkai. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is currently the Member of Parliament from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. She was sworn in as a Lok Sabha member after winning the by-election for this seat. Curated by: Abhishek Pandey About the Author Abhishek Pandey is a digital journalist at Navbharat Times. He joined Navbharat Times, the digital wing of the Times of India Group, in July 2025. He currently covers news for the National and Delhi desks. Courtesy: Hindi News
South states join hands to crack down on drug trafficking
The officials agreed to hold periodic coordination meetings and exchange intelligence to track narcotics movement and dismantle drug syndicates. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Building on the success of Kerala’s flagship anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan, five southern states, one Union Territory and central enforcement agencies have decided to set up a permanent interstate coordination mechanism to crack down on narcotics trafficking across the region. The decision was taken at a meeting of the police brass from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry and top officers of the central enforcement agencies, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The meeting also decided to appoint nodal officers of SP rank or above in all southern states to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and ensure swift action against interstate drug trafficking networks. Central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Customs and Railway Protection Force, will also nominate nodal officers to strengthen inter-agency coordination. The officials agreed to hold periodic coordination meetings and exchange intelligence to track narcotics movement and dismantle drug syndicates. Speaking to media after the meeting, Chennithala said the interstate mechanism would soon launch joint operations to choke major routes used for trafficking narcotics into the state. Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala unveiling a banner during the Inaugural function of Operation Toofan : The Narco Hunt the state wide anti narcitics campaign at Government Cotton Hill GHSS in Thiruvananthapuram .Shashi Tharoor MP and General Education Minister N Shamsudeen are also seen. Surveillance against online, courier services to be stepped up Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge would visit Kerala on July 15 for follow-up discussions, he said. He said Kerala Police’s specialised anti-drug unit, the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF), will be upgraded into a dedicated anti-narcotics task force in all 20 police districts. Headed by DySPs, the permanent units will be strengthened with additional personnel and vehicles. Two more special NDPS courts would soon be established in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, while the Centre’s proposal to set up 10 additional NDPS courts in Kerala would also be implemented to expedite the disposal of narcotics cases, the home minister said. Surveillance and enforcement would be stepped up against online platforms, courier services and “drop” delivery models, which are increasingly being exploited by drug traffickers, he said. The government would also launch a joint crackdown by the health department and police on the abuse of prescription medicines to curb the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs sourced through medical stores. Officials from neighbouring states said Operation Toofan has already curbed the flow of narcotics into Kerala. Chennithala said the next phase would focus on sealing all major entry points, including state borders, roads, buses, trains, airports and waterways, to prevent drug trafficking. Joint action lFive southern states to establish a permanent anti-drug coordination mechanism under Operation Toofan lState and central agencies to appoint nodal officers for real-time intelligence sharing lPeriodic coordination meets and intelligence exchange to continue lDANSAF to be strengthened as a dedicated anti-narcotics force in Kerala’s 20 police districts lCentre’s proposal to establish 10 NDPS courts in Kerala to be implemented; first in T’Puram & Ernakulam lEnhanced surveillance on online platforms, courier services and drop deliveries used for drug trafficking lNext phase to target all entry routes- road, rail, air, waterways and state borders Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cabinet expansion: Rahul Gandhi likely to summon CM DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah & BK Hariprasad to Delhi
Shivakumar was sworn in as CM along with 13 ministers on June 3. There are 20 vacancies in the cabinet. BENGALURU: With the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expected to return to India from his foreign tour on Sunday evening, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, his predecessor Siddaramaiah and KPCC president BK Hariprasad are likely to be summoned anytime soon to New Delhi by the Congress high command to discuss the much-delayed cabinet expansion. Shivakumar was sworn in as CM along with 13 ministers on June 3. There are 20 vacancies in the cabinet. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah and Hariprasad are prepared with a list of their loyalists to be pushed into the cabinet, sources told The New Sunday Express. Besides the high command, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, will have their own nominees to ensure that the party returns to power in the 2028 Assembly polls, sources added. “Cabinet aspirants are curious to know if the expansion will happen before the month of Ashada, which many believe is inauspicious. Aashada starts on Tuesday (July 14),” sources added. Meanwhile, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said that the cabinet expansion will happen soon. “The CM and AICC chief have said this very clearly. In circumstances where an emergency-like situation arises—whether it is a drought or a flood—having a full-fledged cabinet ensures that responsibilities can be assigned to everyone so that relief can be provided to people without any delay,” Priyank added. When asked if the expansion will happen before Aashada, he said, “I don’t believe in that… When giving or taking power, who looks at all that? There is no connection between the two. Our responsibility is to look after our people. As you said, whether it is Aashada or Rahu Kala, everyone has their own faith and beliefs, but it should not affect governance.” Meanwhile, Jewargi MLA Ajay Singh, son of former CM N Dharam Singh, is a strong contender for a berth in the Shivakumar cabinet. Ajay said that the high command may call the state leaders to Delhi any moment for talks. Chamarajnagara MLA C Puttarangashetty, another contender, said that the expansion may happen in a day or two or after a month when Aashada ends. Srirangapatna MLA A B Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda asserted that he deserved to be a minister. “I will also organise the party in Mandya. If I am proven wrong, they can remove me anytime”, he said. Several other MLAs, including those elected for 3-4 times, such as Ashok M Pattan, have openly staked claim. “Rahul Gandhi will come tomorrow (Sunday). He will call the CM, former CM, and the KPCC President on Monday or Tuesday. I will tell our leaders not to just look at caste, but consider seniority too. I am a senior legislator in Belagavi district and the state. I was a Congress student leader… been in the party since the days of former CM D Devaraj Urs,” he said. Trouble for Zameer? Ahead of the formation of the Shivakumar cabinet in the first phase, an audio clip leaked allegedly involving former minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan allegedly conspiring to defeat the Congress candidate in Davanagere bypolls. This ruined his chances of becoming a minister in the Shivakumar cabinet. This time around, the Lokayukta approached the Governor seeking permission to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets case. One has to wait and watch to see whether Zameer will this time make it to the cabinet or not. Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Government cannot be formed in TN without Congress’s support: TNCC president Manickam Tagore
The Congress meeting on Saturday was organised to condemn the BJP-led government over the NEET issue. Tagore said five students have died this year due to the medical entrance test. COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore said even if the party had won five seats in the Assembly elections, it has now reached a position where a government in Tamil Nadu could not be formed without its support. “We are in a position where we are the key to the lock. This is the time for us to be magnanimous,” he said, while speaking at a Congress party meeting held at Puliyakulam on Saturday. Tagore said the functioning of the Congress party in Tamil Nadu needs to change and that a clear ideology and truth must be taken to the people. “After Vijay assumed charge as chief minister, the situation where votes could be bought with money has changed,” he said, highlighting that this is the time for Congress and the party would progress with everyone’s trust and hard work. The parliamentarian also said that the party cadre are pleased that two Congress ministers are part of the state cabinet. The Congress meeting on Saturday was organised to condemn the BJP-led government over the NEET issue. Tagore said five students have died this year due to the medical entrance test. “The level of uproar witnessed when NEET aspirant Anitha died was not seen when student Keerthana ended her life recently in Coimbatore. We are just letting it pass by unnoticed,” he said, accusing the union government of moving on as if nothing had happened. He said three parliamentarians, on behalf of the TNCC, would visit the families of students who died. He said, “We will also visit the house of Keerthana and the party will provide financial assistance.” Further, Tagore alleged that NEET question papers were leaked at 90 locations across the northern states and accused the BJP and RSS of doing it in an organised manner. He said, “NEET paper leaks occur only in BJP-ruling states, not in Tamil Nadu. If an education system pushes our children to the point of suicide, we must question it. Only if Rahul Gandhi becomes the prime minister in 2029 can NEET be cancelled,” claiming that no other party in Tamil Nadu has been voicing against the BJP in the NEET issue, out of fear. Tagore also said the BJP and RSS continue to lose in Tamil Nadu as they have no understanding of the state. “BJP thought it could win by changing the person in charge, which did not work out. Now, someone else is going to enter under the name of a different organisation,” he said, in a veiled reference to former BJP state president K Annamalai. Meanwhile, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the meeting hall after party members from the Nilgiris demanded the removal of Nagaraj, an office-bearer in the Nilgiris district party, from his post. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Delimitation on agenda: Revanth to brief Rahul, Kharge on T’s seat surge
Hyderabad: With the Centre expected to revive key political reforms, including delimitation and women’s reservation, chief minister A Revanth Reddy is set to hold crucial discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi during the upcoming Parliament session. The meeting is expected to focus on Telangana’s political roadmap, particularly the likely increase in assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies following delimitation. The monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled from July 20 to Aug 13, and Revanth is expected to meet the Congress leadership during this period. According to sources, the chief minister will discuss the likely expansion of constituencies across the country, with a special focus on Telangana. The state is expected to see a significant increase in representation, with assembly seats projected to rise from 119 to 182 and Lok Sabha constituencies from 17 to 26. The discussions are also likely to focus on the Congress party’s electoral strategy in Telangana in the event of delimitation being taken up by the Centre. Revanth has already sought to position Telangana at the centre of the party’s national plans. Addressing a public meeting in Khammam district on Friday, he declared that he would deliver 20 Lok Sabha seats from Telangana to the Congress and help Rahul Gandhi emerge as Prime Minister. The chief minister had also played a key role in mobilising support from several opposition parties against the BJP govt’s attempt to link the implementation of 33% women’s reservation with delimitation, a move that triggered widespread political debate. Apart from political issues, Revanth is expected to brief the Congress leadership on the performance of the Telangana govt over the past 30 months. “He is expected to share with them his plans for the remaining tenure of the Congress govt in Telangana on welfare, development, economic growth, investment fronts and also on the status of the Congress’s electoral promises,” said a source close to him. During his Delhi visit, the chief minister is also expected to meet Union ministers, subject to appointments. He is likely to take up issues related to Telangana’s infrastructure and urban transport requirements, including the Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion plans. Meetings with Union ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Ashwini Vaishnaw are expected to focus on the proposed takeover of the metro rail project and its second phase expansion. While aspirants for cabinet berths are hopeful that the Congress high command may push for filling the two vacancies in the state cabinet, sources in the chief minister’s office indicated that Revanth is not inclined to undertake a cabinet expansion or reshuffle at this stage. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mirwaiz says NC’s statehood protest in Delhi should also include demand for restoration of Articles 370, 35A
Hurriyat chairman says the proposed Jantar Mantar protest should go beyond the demand for statehood and include political prisoners’ rights and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict. SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is among 52 political leaders invited by J&K’s ruling party National Conference (NC) for statehood protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, has asserted that that protest should go beyond statehood and include restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, rights of political prisoners, and peaceful conflict resolution. In his Friday sermon at historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz confirmed that he has received an invitation from NC president Farooq Sahib for attending the statehood protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The NC is planning a protest on the first day of parliament’s monsoon session at Jantar Mantar New Delhi to press for restoration of statehood to J&K. The party has invited 52 leaders of the country including Mirwaiz for the protest. The NC has applied for the permission for the protest and is yet to get go ahead. Referring to abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and downgrading and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state by centre, Mirwaiz said after the 2019 unilateral changes brought by the Government of India, the State of Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded to a Union Territory and its constitutional safeguards snatched from the people, leaving them vulnerable and disempowered. The Hurriyat chairman said any effort by any political alliance, organisation or individuals working for the restoration of the usurped rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir , if based on sincerity , is the need of the hour. He said the protest agitation should go beyond statehood and include restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, rights of political prisoners, and peaceful conflict resolution. “It is the foremost responsibility of the NC government towards people of Jammu and Kashmir, who gave it a mandate on the clear promise that, once elected, it would revive the pre-2019 status of J&K, including restoration of statehood and Article 370 and 35A,” Mirwaiz said adding the agitation cannot be limited to the restoration of statehood, but has to be for all the seized safeguards and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The restoration of Article 370, which granted special status to J&K, was one of the main planks in NC’s campaign for the 2024 Assembly elections. “In fact, it should include the rights of our political prisoners and youth languishing in jails for years without trial or continued incarceration despite getting bail, and for people’s longing for lasting peace and life with dignity by conflict resolution,” added Mirwaiz. Other than Mirwaiz, NC has also invited Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Asaduddin Owaisi, Y S Jagam Mohan Reddy, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Arvind Kejriwal, M A Baby CPI(M) General Secretary, D Raja of CPI, Kapil Sibal, BSP chief Mayawati, BRS President K. Chandrashekar Rao, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, J&K Apni Party Chief Altaf Bukhari, J&K Congress chief G A Mir, J&K BJP president Satpal Sharma, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone and J&K Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam for the statehood protest in national capital. Fayaz Wani Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala government sets up expert panel for Wayanad landslide debris removal
The panel was formed following a meeting chaired by Chief Minister V D Satheesan with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and PWD Minister P K Basheer. THIRUVANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has constituted a three-member expert committee to inspect the Wayanad tunnel and township project sites and submit recommendations for the safe removal of debris accumulated following a landslide. Seven bodies have been recovered from the site of the Wayanad landslide, which occurred on 7 July. The decision to form the panel was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister V D Satheesan with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Public Works Minister P K Basheer on Friday, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office. The committee will include Dr Santhosh G Thampi, professor at NIT Calicut; Dr Jude Emmanuel, environmental scientist at the Directorate of Environmental and Climate Change; and a representative from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS). An order issued by the Disaster Management Department said the panel would visit the tunnel and township project sites and assist the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in carrying out the safe removal of debris. For the tunnel project, the debris will be transported to disposal sites identified by the Public Works Department (PWD). For the township project, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will identify suitable locations for depositing the material. The committee has also been asked to prepare a brief action plan with necessary safety measures for debris removal, which will be followed by the PWD and PIU. The government has directed the panel to inspect the sites and submit its report at the earliest. The Wayanad District Collector has been instructed to provide all necessary support to the committee. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress may name new KPCC president within a week
The exercise comes at a crucial juncture for the party. There is growing discontent among workers and leaders over the absence of a full-time KPCC president. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress is set to kick-start the long-awaited organisational reshuffle in Kerala with the appointment of a new KPCC president. According to party sources, the high command could name a new state chief within a week. The process is likely to commence after July 10, once Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, returns to Delhi. Sunny Joseph, the incumbent KPCC president, had informed the high command his readiness to step down from the post after being inducted into the cabinet. However, he has been asked to continue until a replacement is appointed. The exercise comes at a crucial juncture for the party. There is growing discontent among workers and leaders over the absence of a full-time KPCC president. Though it’s been more than a month since the government assumed office in May, the committee meant to facilitate coordination between the government and the party has not yet been constituted. Leaders allege that the organisational inertia has affected the party’s ability to intervene on key policy matters. “The government has made U-turns on several appointments and courted controversy over some other decisions involving the party’s policy positions,” a Congress leader said. “Had there been a full-time working KPCC president and effective coordination between the party and government, contentious decisions such as the implementation of PM SHRI scheme, reduction of tax on low-alcohol beverages and private participation in mineral sand mining could have been avoided,” he said. Meanwhile, lobbying for the post of KPCC chief has also intensified, with former UDF convenor Benny Behanan and Lok Sabha Chief Whip Kodikunnil Suresh being seen as frontrunners. The reported rift between Chief Minister V D Satheesan and veteran leader V M Sudheeran has come as a setback for Suresh at a crucial juncture. The two were understood to have backed Suresh as the first Dalit KPCC president, in line with the party’s emphasis on social justice. Behanan, however, enjoys the support of different sections of the party. UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, V S Sivakumar, Anto Antony and Mathew Kuzhalnadan are also in the race. Party observers have submitted their assessment reports on prospective candidates to the high command. “The high command will initiate the appointment process once Rahul returns,” a leader said. Although a section in the party has demanded that the ‘one-person, one-post’ principle be applied while appointing the new president, the final decision will rest with the high command. Next steps The appointment of KPCC president is expected to set the ball rolling on a wider organisational overhaul, including the appointment of two working presidents and new general secretaries, followed by selection of new district chiefs. K S Sreejith Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Ahead of cabinet expansion, MLC BK Hariprasad gains Siddaramaiah’s backing
The argument is that if Hariprasad wields power, it would also help organise the party, drawing a parallel to Shivakumar, who held both the DCM and KPCC chief’s posts. BENGALURU: As the countdown begins for cabinet expansion, and Chief Minister DK Shivakumar gears up to fill 20 berths, the name of KPCC chief and MLC BK Hariprasad has come to the fore, springing a surprise. According to sources, former CM Siddaramiah has been backing Hariprasad to be made minister and also floor leader in the Council. The argument is that if Hariprasad wields power, it would also help organise the party, drawing a parallel to Shivakumar who held both the DCM and KPCC chief’s posts. It is to be seen whether Siddaramaiah’s plan materialises when he along with Shivakumar and Hariprasad, call on the high command after LOP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi returns from his foreign trip on Sunday. If Hariprasad misses out on becoming minister, Siddaramaiah’s son and Urban Development Minister Dr Yathindra is likely to be the floor leader. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi was also aspiring to be KPCC chief while keeping his ministerial berth, but the high command turned it down. Now, Satish is feeling let down as Siddaramaiah did not back him to the hilt. Sources said Satish’s relationship with Siddaramaiah began to sour a couple of months before the latter stepped down as CM, after Satish held talks with Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh, former Bengaluru Rural MP, , say political analysts. Meanwhile, DK Suresh, who is now Bamul Chairman, hosted dinner for select Congress MLAs at a hotel in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening. The legislators, who were were vocal in backing Shivakumar’s claim the CM’s post, included Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, Channagiri MLA Basavaraj Shivaganga, Maddur MLA Kadaluru Uday, Sira MLA TB Jayachandra, Hoskote MLA Sharath Bachegowda, Ranebennur MLA Prakash Koliwad, Srirangapatna MLA Ramesh Bandisiddegowda and newly elected MLC Vinay Karthik, sources said. In fact, Balakrishna hosted the dinner on behalf of Suresh as a goodwill gesture to keep the MLAs in good humour, they added. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights