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Politics is the last resort for scoundrels- George Bernard Shaw. Bengaluru: Seven more days are left for the first round of polls to 14 constituencies of Karnataka, but a short trip in multiple constituencies of several districts doesn’t indicate that general elections are underway. Thanks to the code of conduct being rigidly adhered to, you don’t even come across wall writings, banners, billboards, cutouts, hitherto a big nuisance during polls. Heatwave feared to affect turnout: Hunaswadi Rajan, Group Editor of Lok Shikshan Trust publications including Samayukta Karnataka, the oldest Kannada daily newspaper feared-“There is a danger of the polling per cent dipping down if the same present heatwave continues until the polling day”. Personal prestige to the fore: Generally and especially in Karnataka, local issues, candidates, and anti-incumbency factors play a vital role at the time of state Assembly elections unlike during Parliamentary polls. Interestingly, it looks to be the other

Bengaluru: Eight days are left for the first round of polls in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies of Karnataka as the polling is scheduled for next Friday 26 April. A quick round in a select few constituencies of multiple districts belonging to the old Mysuru region or the Southern Karnataka however fails to give any indication of the trend or pulse of the people! Voters prefer to remain non-committal! A few decades back scribes enjoyed touring the poll-bound areas to have a glimpse of the emerging trends, busy interacting with all types of people available in public places. Many of them, sitting below a huge tree or sipping tea in small canteens rejoiced voicing their frank opinion over the ongoing polls, but not anymore. These days, thanks to the onslaught of social networking sites and the menace they have created, people prefer to remain non-committal! Unaware of money: Chikkanna, a farmer of Achhalu village close to Kanakapura preferred to be dragged into a brief conversation after an

Bengaluru: The people of Karnataka are reeling under a series of burning problems to no avail but none of the contesting parties or their representatives seems to be perturbed over the alarming predicament. Interestingly even the voters or the general public appear to be least perplexed over the serious development adversely affecting their normal life and livelihood. Not a subject for discussion: But for a few letters in the Letters to the Editor columns of some regional language newspapers anyone going through their online editions sitting elsewhere across the globe is bound to form an opinion that everything is well in their home state. However, the situation on the ground is quite paradoxical and worrisome. Soaring mercury…: March 2024 remained exceptionally dry in the whole of the state while Mercury roared to 36.6 degrees centigrade dubbed to be the highest since 2019 and none of the 16 India Metrological Department (IMD) observatories in South Karnataka recorded any rainfall.

Bengaluru: All three major parties in Karnataka namely the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress(INC) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) have a series of issues to spit venom against one another. But, when it comes to sharing party and power positions only family members, and kin matter the most neglecting the loyal workers toiling day and night for the best interests of the party. In this aspect, there is total unanimity among all the three rival parties with no scope of indifferences with one another. Congress tops the list: The ruling Congress party is way ahead in accommodating family members for consideration in gifting party tickets to contest the ensuing Parliamentary elections. Six children of sitting ministers have been announced party tickets while another four including brother, sister, wife and brother-in-law are also in the fray. BS Yediyurappa, former chief minister and a BJP strongman continues to be targetted for promoting family interests in the party.