Bengaluru, April 16 (IANS) The Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka will see a showdown between BJP’s V. Somanna and Congress’ S.P. Muddahanumegowda, both veterans. The battle between the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities is significant, as it will reflect the acceptance of the BJP and JD(S) alliance.

73-year-old Somanna, a top leader of the Lingayat community, faces a crucial election. On the other hand, Congress candidate Muddahanumegowda, backed by DyCM Shivakumar, aims to secure victory with guarantee schemes and leadership support from CM Siddaramaiah.

The constituency includes significant Assembly segments like Chikkanayakanahalli, Tiptur, and Tumakuru City. BJP and JD(S) have won two seats each, and Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara and Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna represent key Assembly segments in the area.

Caste dynamics play a significant role in Tumakuru, with major voter chunks from Vokkaligas and Lingayats. The poor masses, beneficiaries of guarantee schemes, are expected to support the Congress party, while the alliance with JD(S) could benefit the BJP in the constituency.

Sources suggest that the constituency’s mood is influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wave, as well as the regional bonding between leaders like Shivakumar and Somanna. With major communities like SC, Muslims, and Kurubas also holding significant voting power, the election outcome remains crucial for both parties.

Shillong, April 16 (IANS) The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country, as promised by the BJP in its election manifesto, will affect the matrilineal social structure in Meghalaya, claimed Congress MP Vincent Pala, who is seeking re-election from the Shillong Lok Sabha seat. Pala said Meghalaya’s culture is different from the rest of the country, where women have a dominant role in society. He expressed concerns that the implementation of UCC could pose challenges for the state in the future.

Pala also mentioned that the hill state of the northeast may witness strong resistance from its society against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He, however, ruled out the possibility of any protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Meghalaya, stating that once a law is passed in Parliament and implemented, there is no point in opposing it. Pala also addressed the issue of whether the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system should be introduced in Meghalaya, stating that the state government is not authorized to introduce this system and will have to wait for the Centre’s decision.

The Congress MP criticized the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), accusing them of being corrupt and misusing government funds. Pala alleged that NPP has diverted public money from Meghalaya to fund their party in other northeastern states. He pointed out examples of corruption in the state, such as the collection of money at check gates for goods being brought in or taken out, which he labeled as pure corruption.

Vincent Pala has been winning the Shillong Lok Sabha seat since 2009 and is aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the upcoming election. Despite concerns of anti-incumbency, Pala remains confident in his track record of development work in the state. He highlighted the lack of infrastructural progress under the current dispensation and promised to focus on infrastructure and tourism development if re-elected.

Polling for two Lok Sabha seats in Meghalaya is scheduled for April 19, where Pala will face state Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh from the NPP in the Shillong constituency. The political landscape in Meghalaya is heating up as parties prepare for the upcoming election, with Pala advocating for the preservation of Meghalaya’s unique cultural identity amidst proposed changes.

Gurugram, April 16 (IANS) Three youths were critically injured when the car they were traveling in fell off the Jharsa flyover on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway late on Monday night. The victims, aged between 18 to 23, were rushed to a private hospital for treatment.

According to officials, the injured individuals, identified as Rishab and Naman from Gurugram, along with a third yet-to-be-identified person, were in the car when the driver lost control and crashed into the central median of the flyover. Subsequently, the car fell 15 feet below onto the main carriageway.

Fortunately, at the time of the accident, there was no other vehicular movement on the road, which may have escalated the casualties. Passersby and officials from the NHAI and police aided in rescuing the injured youths and transferring them to a nearby private hospital.

The police are currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of the crash, with preliminary inquiries indicating that the car was being driven at high speed and recklessly. It is yet to be confirmed whether the individuals were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The severity of the injuries sustained by the youths is significant, as stated by police sources. Further updates on the investigation and the condition of the victims are awaited as more information becomes available.