Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
The Hindu
Karnataka Today newsletter: Close contest anticipated as electoral fight turns triangular in many seats, and more
With many constituencies seeing a three-cornered fight, and the rebel factor looming large, the number of closely contested assembly seats are likely to see a rise this Karnataka elections. Political parties are considering this election to be a tight fight between the ruling BJP, the Congress, and the JD(S).
Many constituencies could end up with low-margin victories. In almost 100 constituencies, parties are unable to predict victories. In 2018, over 30 constituencies had a victory marginal less than 5,000 while 77 constituencies saw victory marginal less than 10,000. Of the latter, as many as 31 seats reported a victory margin of less than 2,000 votes.
Curiosity is palpable in seats like Hubballi Dharwad Central, which drew the attention of the nation after former Chief Minister and BJP loyalist Jagadish Shettar switched camps to the Congress. Similar interest is being noticed in Kanakapura, the fortress of KPCC president and Vokkaliga strongman, D.K. Shivakumar, as well as Kolar, where a triangular fight has emerged between the three parties after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not enter the election fray.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) results for Class X and Class XII were announced on May 12 and the Bengaluru region has secured second place with a region-wise pass percentage of 98.64 in Class XII and 99.18 in Class X.
This year also, Trivandrum region stood first in the list with a pass percentage of 99.91 in Class X and Class XII result. Bengaluru region was followed by Chennai region in the third place with 99.14% of result in Class X and 97.40% in Class XII.
Compared to the previous year, Class XII results have increased by 0.48% in Bengaluru this year. However, Class X results hve decreased by 0.04%.
With polling done, it is business as usual in urban areas. However, the hangover of the prolonged campaigning and election exercise continues to impact farmers from rural regions.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”