Dispute in UDF over candidate selection remains unsettled
The Hindu
A section of Congress dissidents keen to join NCP
The dispute over the selection of candidate is yet to be settled in the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Perambra constituency, where a group of Congress dissidents are planning to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Though senior Congress leaders are seemingly in touch with the dissenters, many are reportedly disinclined to accept provisional offers made by conciliators. The rift has got deeper at a time when the constituency is set for a tough electoral battle. This time, sitting MLA T.P. Ramakrishan is taking on C.H. Ebrahim Kutty, an NRI businessman and philanthropist. Issues triggered by dissidence have become the biggest hurdle for the UDF during the campaign. NCP leaders’ attempt to woo a section of Congress dissidents has also disturbed the UDF camp.The Shakti Scheme in Karnataka has completed its first year, yet the smart cards intended for the beneficiaries remain undistributed. According to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, while the smart cards have been prepared, their issuance has been stalled due to the absence of electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) in all buses, making them impractical.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok were engaged in war of words over the Lok Sabha election results on Tuesday, with the former calling the latter “ignorant and entertaining people”. In response, Mr. Ashok said the Chief Minister “sometimes wakes up from deep slumber to exhibit his arrogance and anger”.
Makineni Jishnu Sai from Guntur secured the first position in the engineering stream while Yellu Srishant Reddy from Nizampet in Telangana bagged the first place in the Agriculture and Pharmacy (Bi.P.C. stream) in the Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (EAPCET)-2024.