MES leading in Belgaum Rural
10:51 AM Posted by ukmad
BJP leads in Belgaum South,Rural
10:31 AM Posted by ukmad
BJP leads in south belgaum & Congress in north
9:47 AM Posted by ukmad
Congress candidate Sait is leading in north, he could be a surprise winner
Policemen manhandled me: Smriti
1:10 PM Posted by ukmad
It was the most horrible moment in my life," said Smriti Irani, the famous TV star who was allegedly insulted by Belgaum police on Monday night.Speaking to the thisa website's newspaper from Mumbai on Tuesday, she termed the behaviour of police inhuman."They touched my body on the pretext of searching me," she added.Irani said that after the end of campaigning at Belgaum on Monday night, she was heading towards Goa when her vehicle was stopped by a constable at an unknown place near Belgaum. The constable asked her who she was and where she was going.Though she disclosed her identity, the constable got into the car and asked the driver to take the car to an obscure spot where five to six police officers were standing.The officers asked her to alight as they wanted to search the car, she said. The police officers then asked her to open the boot of the car empty her bag saying they wanted to search it. Horrified at the behaviour of the police officers, she asked them to call a woman police official so that she could search her bag. However, her pleas fell on deaf ears."I was terrified as I was surrounded by badly behaved policemen in an unknown place," she said.Jeetendra Kadam, president of BJP City District alleged that the police took the TV star to a police station and insulted her. Kadam alleged that the policemen were under the influence of alcohol.Police have however denied the charges and said that as election handbills were found in the car, she was asked to come to police station to give an explanation.
Belgaum records 62 per cent turnout
9:54 AM Posted by ukmad
In Belgaum South & Rural 62% turnout.
No major incident of violence or booth capturing reported from the city.
There were many instances of voters being denied to vote as their name was not included in the voters list even tough they had a valid voters ID card.
Counting for the remaining ten assembly segments — Gokak, Arabhavi, Belgaum North, Belgaum South, Belgaum Rural, Kittur, Bailhongal, Soudatti-Yallamma, Ramdurg and Khanapur — will be taken up at Gogte Institute of Technology in Udyambag in Belgaum city on Sunday 25.
56% till 4pm
6:11 PM Posted by ukmad
Voters unwilling to come out
2:30 PM Posted by ukmad
By this afternoon only 26% on average had voted.
The voter turnout is very poor all over the city. I had voted at 7 am in the morning and that time there was no rush, but I had expected the rush to build up later. But it seems the voters are in no mood to vote for anybody this time.
I will keep updated as and when I get updates.
Debate over: Belgaum chooses its state: CNN IBN Poll
4:01 PM Posted by ukmad
News Link sent by Brahmanand Chipre
Most people in Belgaum want to remain with Karnataka and many of them are not even aware of Maharashtra's demand that Marathi-speaking parts of the district be transferred to it. 
This is the finding of a pre-poll survey conducted by CNN-IBN, Deccan Herald and the Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). The two states have been fighting over Belgaum since 1956 when the district was made a part of Karnataka with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act.
Only 41 per cent of the total respondents seemed to have any knowledge about Maharashtra's demand for merging Marathi-speaking areas in Belgaum with Maharashtra—an indication perhaps that the linguistic divide has taken a backseat in Karnataka.
The pre-poll survey found that out of the 41 per cent respondents who knew about the Belgaum debate an overwhelming 58 per cent thought Maharashtra's demand for Belgaum was unjustified. Only 31 per cent felt otherwise.
Belgaum has been an issue in all elections but this time when it goes to polls in the third and final phase of voting on May 22 parties would know what its people want.
Children drafted for campaigning in many segments in Belgaum district
10:00 AM Posted by ukmad
Vijaykumar Patil
All that they know is that their parents get money when they go for canvassing
Child Labour Act and the model code of conduct do not say anything about it
Child welfare committee chairman says action can be taken in such cases
DISTURBING: Children of Harugeri of Raibag (SC) Assembly constituency who worked for a candidate of a national party during campaigning.
In what could be a disturbing development, children aged less than 14 are being either engaged or hired for campaigning by contestants fielded by national political parties or those contesting independently.
Interestingly, the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, which prohibits engaging children in certain employments and regulates the conditions of work of children in certain other employments, does not speak of children being engaged or employed as workers in electioneering.
However, when certain incidences were brought to the notice of Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Belgaum District Child Welfare Committee, M.E. Shivalingmurthy, here on Tuesday, he said action could be taken in such cases.
Children are openly campaigning in favour of contestant(s) in several Assembly constituencies of the district but none in the Department of Women and Child have bothered to take note of it, not even the Election Observers or Section Officers in the department.
Though Mr. Shivalingmurthy initially denied any such a practice in the district, he said action could be taken if it came to light when photographs pertaining to campaigning in Raibag (SC) and Ramdurg Assembly constituencies in the district were produced.
In Harugeri village of Ramdurg, a group of four children, apparently belonging to poor families, all aged less than 14 and who have just passed fifth and sixth standards in a local Kannada-medium school, were found canvassing for a candidate. They had identified themselves as workers of the political party by wearing the caps gifted to them recently. That apart, all the four boys said they were paid for the work — to go door-to-door and appeal to voters to vote for their candidate.
Sadashiv Gundappa, Kiran Ramappa Kamble and Balappa Pappakka Kamble told The Hindu that the party leaders had paid Rs. 70 and gave a cap to each of them. However, the money was handed over to their parents at the party election office opened in the village. Mallesh Dilip Kamble said he was paid Rs. 20 for the entire season to canvas for the candidate.
These boys said they were enjoying campaigning since they had holidays. However, they said they were not aware of anything called child labour. What they know is that their parents got some money when they campaigned for the candidate.
Children were seen actively participating in campaigning for an independent candidate in Belgaum North Assembly constituency.
Even the Model Code of Conduct of the Election Commission is silent on such issues.
9:39 PM Posted by ukmad
The Mumbai-Karnataka region that's seen fierce border dispute for the last 50 years, votes in the third phase of polls on Thursday.
To See Video Click here
It’s been the war cry of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in Belgaum for five decades - MES candidates like Manohar Kinekar have been winning local body and Assembly elections on just one issue that they'll fight to make Belgaum a part of Maharashtra.
MES candidate Manohar Kinekar said, “When the border issue is solved all other problems are solved too because we'll participate better in governance and we can solve the problem in better way.”
But this time the MES has to contend with its own rebels in 3 of 5 Assembly seats. After being denied tickets, leaders like Shivaji Sunthkar, have decided to stand independently.
Sunthkar said, “People are out on the streets saying their favourite candidate has been sidelined by the party and so they want me to fight as an independent.”
Its this in-fighting in MES that Congress and BJP are banking on. They are seeking votes on the development plank.
And 50 years after re-organisation of States, that's the election issue for the aam aadmi too.
The language issue is certainly an emotional one, but you can't live on it. Be it the Marathi manus or the Kannada manava, the basics of roti, kapda and makaan are more important.
And that's could well help parties other than the MES in gaining ground.
Linguistic divide takes a backseat in Belgaum
2:27 PM Posted by ukmad
Source: http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/may/19kgovt.htm Submitted by Sheri Sundeep
In Belgaum, the linguistic divide takes a backseat
Karnataka and Maharashtra have been locked in a dispute over Belgaum since 1956 when the district was incorporated into Karnataka (the then Mysore state) with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act.
Belgaum features in the third and final phase of the Karnataka election, which will be held on May 22.
The run-up to the election was chaotic. In 2005, the Belgaum Municipal Corporation, which then had the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti in a majority, resolved to merge Belgaum with Maharashtra.
Following angry protests, which included Mayor Vijay More's face being blackened by Kannada activists, the then state government headed by H D Kumaraswamy stepped in and superseded the corporation.
Coverage: Battleground Karnataka
When the corporation was superseded, many people thought the decision would impact the assembly election.
The Kumaraswamy-led Janata Dal-Secular-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government had then dubbed Belgaum Karnataka's second capital and even held a week-long special session of the Karnataka assembly in the city.
Belgaum's name was also proposed to be changed to Belagavi. However, this has been kept on hold by the Union government.
With four days left for the election, Belgaum seems quiet on the border issue. Some of the city's Maharashtrian and Kannadiga residents say that in this era of globalisation there is no point fighting each other on the basis of language.
The MES, which won just two of Belgaum's 18 assembly seats in the 2004 election, still has the border dispute as its main campaign issue. MES leaders say they will ensure that Belgaum is merged with Maharashtra.
An MES activist told rediff.com that there is a need to bring about awareness among the Marathi-speaking people in Belgaum district who comprise 75 per cent of the 564,000 population. They say November 1, which is celebrated as Kannada Rajyothsava Day (the day Karnataka was established from the old Mysore state), is observed as a black day in Belgaum by MES activists.
BJP way ahead of others: Exit poll
Although political parties like the MES may try to whip up emotions on the border dispute, Maharashrian residents say whether Belgaum belongs to Karnataka or Maharashtra, development of the district is what ultimately counts.
National parties like the BJP and Congress have steered clear of the border issue; their campaigns highlight development. Congress leader and chief ministerial aspirant Mallikarjuna Kharge says the border issue is dead and there is no point raking it up now.
'People are fed up with coalition govts'
The recent election to the Belgaum City Corporation was fought between two groups, instead of individual parties. The pro-Kannada-Urdu group won the election against the pro-Marathi group. The validity of the election has now been challenged before the Supreme Court on the ground that unfair practices were used.
The MES would win at least nine assembly seats from Belgaum in elections before 1999. However, the numbers touched a dismal two seats in the 2004 election.
In rural Belgaum, there is an acute shortage of water. The rate of unemployment too is high. Basic amenities like roads, schools and health centres are what Belgaum needs, not an issue that belongs to the history books.
Interesting contest on the cards in Belgaum North
7:06 AM Posted by ukmad
Source: The Hindu
All major parties have fielded their nominees here
Two-time MLA Ramesh L. Kudachi is the Janata Dal (S) candidate
Sait is the first-ever Muslim to be fielded by the Congress in Belgaum (Belgaum North)
Belgaum: All eyes are on Belgaum North constituency, where all major parties have fielded their candidates.
But what makes it more interesting is the presence of MES rebel Ramesh Gangaram Pawale and Rashtriya Hindustan Sena candidate Vilas Ramachandra Pawar. The people of the constituency are equally curious about the prospects of Janata Dal (Secular ) candidate and two-time MLA Ramesh L. Kudachi, who quit the Congress after being denied the ticket.
Mr. Kudachi told The Hindu that he had no option but to quit as he had been sidelined in the Congress.
He joined the Janata Dal (S) and entered the poll fray to show that the Congress was “weak” without him in the party.
His presence has become a thorn in the flesh of Congress candidate Feroz Nooruddin Sait.
However, the realisation of the objective of Mr. Kudachi, who belongs to the Kurbar community, depends largely on the number of votes he would get from the Muslim community, which supported him in the 1999 and 2004 elections.
But, Mr. Kudachi has not lost hopes completely and feels that a section of Marathi-speaking voters would support him. Mr. Kudachi was the first-ever Kannada speaking candidate to defeat the MES in the erstwhile Belgaum City Assembly constituency.
Mr. Sait is the first-ever Muslim to be fielded by the Congress in Belgaum (Belgaum North).
The BJP is hoping to do well in Belgaum North.Weak candidate
Though its candidate and former chairman of Belgaum Urban Development Authority Shankargowda Patil is considered relatively weak when compared to others in the fray, party leaders say the situation is fast turning in his favour.
In addition to support from his own Lingayat community, the party expects the support of all Kannada organisations.
Though the former Mayor and MES candidate Vijay Pandurang More is regarded as a “good person” by all communities in the light of his work, his caste (SC) has turned out be an obstacle for him.
Many feel that all Marathas, who are in substantial numbers in the constituency and are traditional supporters of MES, may not support Mr. More.
But, he too is confident that these voters and a section of the Kannada and Urdu-speaking voters would support him.Pawale firm
Efforts of the MES central leadership have failed to convince Mr. Pawale to withdraw from the fray.
Also, Mr. More’s problems have only aggravated due to the presence of Mr. Pawar, who is also a Maratha.
In the last elections, Mr. Pawar contested on the BJP ticket and lost to Mr. Kudachi by a margin of 1,017 votes.
Interestingly, the Bahujan Samaj Party’s candidate, whose profile is much better than any other candidate in the fray, is also hopeful of doing well.
Local issues not raised
4:29 PM Posted by ukmad
Addressing a huge election campaigning meeting at Beynon Smith C P Ed college ground here on Sunday , Rahul said that BJP do not have morality to speak anything about terrorism as every one knows what had happened in Kashmir when BJP led NDA government was in power in Centre. He also said that people of the nation have not forgotten the incident of freeing a Afghani terrorist by dropping him till Kandhahar accompaning him with the Union Home Minister Jaswant Singh. `Since this is the situtaion, what morality BJP have to speak against UPA government,' Rahul questioned.
Rahul called people to vote for Congress for the development and better future of the nation.
Rahul who explained the developmental works done when Congress was ruling the state appealed the people to elect Congress government for the better future of their children's life.
Rahul lauded former Chief Minister S M Krishna who had shared the dias with him over the developmental and pro-people works done during his tenure said that Karnataka was India's future when Krishna led Congress government was in rule.
Karnataka missed the track of development during the term of JD(S)-BJP government.
He termed the last coalition government as the opportunalistic and described the coalition government as an unscientific government.
Source:the New Indian Express
We do not seem to understand the logic of all political parties in this present election. All have been speaking about national issues. Congress says BJP does not have any morality to speak about terrorism and the BJP says vice versa.
Why does not any party speak what they would like to do for Belgaum (in this context when all had gathered in Belgaum) all say you vote for us, as we would be able to give you a stable govt. and do what with that stable govt. put pickles or make biryani. This is a local MLA election and we had thought in the election the local issues should have come up. Nevertheless, who cares? Kiske Baap jata hai?
We wanted to know what our elected representatives would do for us. Nobody said anything. Therefore, whom should we vote for a stable Govt? All the parties said the will give a stable govt. who will give even the Gods do not know.
What do you all think about this? Nobody spoke of airport expansion or textile hub or even the software park. We here just speak and forget it. This is what democracy is?
Share your thoughts…
Caste Equations will play their Roles
9:52 AM Posted by ukmad
Source: Biddu This story has been written by Biddu for this blog.
But for a few aberrations in the history of Indian elections, caste has been all the more dominate in deciding the prospects of political parties and contesting candidates. Those who value of caste and work out have always gained. This has been proved time and again, as elsewhere in the country and state, in Belgaum too.
With or without issues pertaining to development and progress, caste remains omnipotent in this election too. Ultimately, as the candidates fail to impress the electorate or elevate their voting-conscience above caste and religion based voting, they are back to same old game of consolidating the vote-banks on basis of caste and religion. The composition of caste, they know, would be ultimate in deciding their future at the hustings. That's why, a candidate told Biddu here on Wednesday, all political parties invariably look into the caste and sub-caste before announcing their candidature.
In the three assembly constituencies of Belgaum North, Belagum and Belgaum Rural, the future of the candidates in the fray is depends on how the individual caste group will vote. But, not candidate can afford to ignore the major caste such as Lingayats, Marathas, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Muslims and Jains, which are bound to play crucial role in these elections too.
According to one estimate obtained from a government department by Biddu, of the total electoral college constituting of 1,77,320 in BN the presence of lingayats is highest and account for 52,000 electorates, followed by the Marathas whose strength is 38,000. The Muslims for the third highest voter population with 40,000 followed by SCs-15,000, STs-11,000, Jain-8000, Bhrahim-4000, Kurbar-2000, Devang-3000, Maheswari(Marwari)-1000, Kankani-1000 and Others-2320.
Similarly, in Belgaum South, the composition shows that Marathas dominate the constituency with 50,000 voters followed by Jains, which account for 21,000. The lingayat constitute 16,000; Muslim, SC and Devang-15,000 each, ST-6000, Brahmin-10,000, Maheshwari-7000, Kurbar-5000, Konkani-6000, Savaji(Kshatriya)2000, Hanabar-1000 and Others-11,030. The total voters in the constituency are 1,800,30.
In Belgaum South having 1,87,025 voters, Maraths are in highest number, about 70,000. The lingayats form the second highest voter population followed by Muslims, about 6,000. The strength of voters belonging to other castes are SC-14,000; ST-13,500, Jain-7000, Brahmin-2000, Kurbar-4000, Hanabar-7,800, Devang-1,824, and Others-1901.
If these figures are any indication, the contesting candidates belonging to either of these castes or religious communities can very well guess about their prospects, even while pinning their hopes on some support from sympathetic individuals belonging to caste(s) other than their own.
Various Party stalwarts in town for the last phase of campaigning
4:25 PM Posted by ukmad
Yesterday Mayawati of the BSP held a rally in the district stadium in the afternoon and Narendra Modi took a rally at the Sardar's Ground in the evening.
Today evening Rahul Gandhi will address a rally at CPEd. Ground. L K Advani will address one in Khanapur.
What they spoke was nothing new. Same, old wine in a new bottle.
However, one good thing is that we Belgaumites could see these stalwarts in real.
The last days of campaigning are here & all are trying their tricks.
I take this opportunity to ask all the readers of this blog "TO COME OUT & VOTE" Whom you vote are not my problem. Vote for a person who is deserveable.
