Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE: Karnataka BJP MLA makes personal remarks against Sonia Gandhi

12:53 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Karnataka BJP MLA makes personal remarks against former Congress Chief 

During a speech in Karnataka's Koppal, BJP MLA Basanagouda Yatnal made a personal remark against ex-Congress president Sonia Gandhi, calling her a 'Vish Kanya' (venomous girl) and an agent of China and Pakistan.

“The entire world has accepted PM Modi. America welcomes PM with a red carpet and he’s attained the status of a global leader. The Congress compare him to a cobra and says he’s poisonous. Your party and on whose orders you dance is Sonia Gandhi a Vish Kanye? She is an agent for China and Pakistan,” he said.

The remark comes a day after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge put himself in hot water when he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "poisonous snake" on Thursday.

12:46 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to attend poll meetings

On Friday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will speak at a public gathering in Jevargi, a Mahila Samvad event in Koppal, and a public speech and roadshow in Bellary.

12:21 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Kannada actor Darshan to campaign for BJP

Darshan, a popular Kannada actor, will be a key campaigner for the BJP ahead of the elections. In the Kannada film industry, he is known for his action flicks, and he previously campaigned for Sumalatha Ambareesh with actor Yashin in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to News 18. Kichcha Sudeep, an actor, is already campaigning for the BJP.

12:19 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress accuses Amit Shah of inciting 'hatred' & 'maligning' opposition

A police complaint was made on Thursday against Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders by Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Dr. Parmeshwar, and Chief of the Karnataka Congress, DK Shivakumar.

11:50 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

KRPP founder Gali Janardhana Reddy confident of coming to power in 2028

In Karnataka's political sphere, which is controlled by the BJP, Congress, and the JD(S), mining billionaire Gali's party is taking modest steps. Janardhana Reddy is optimistic that his newly formed party would become large enough by 2028 to propel him to the throne, as he tests the waters with the electoral debut of his Kalyana Rajya Pragati Paksha in the state Legislative Assembly elections. Former BJP minister Janardhana Reddy, who broke with the saffron party and formed the KRPP in December last year, claimed he did not launch it with the intention of becoming CM immediately in 2023.

“I am patient. We will build a solid foundation in 2023 and by 2028 we will come to power on our own strength, with a thumping majority,” he said.

11:15 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Villagers gherao BJP MLA for not responding to their problems

Villagers gheraoed BJP MLA Basavaraj Dadesugur for failing to react to their demands for drinking water and other issues.

The event occurred in the hamlet of Obalabandi, where a BJP MLA was campaigning. Villagers gheraoed the MLA's car and questioned him for allegedly ignoring their drinking water concerns.

Due to the outcry, the MLA was compelled to leave the village.

11:12 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Kharge made 'poisonous snake' barb at PM Modi to please his political masters: Dharmendra Pradhan

The BJP targeted the Gandhi family on Thursday after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sparked outrage by comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a deadly snake, claiming he did so to "please" his political masters.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is the BJP's in-charge of the Karnataka assembly elections on 10 May, told PTI that the BJP never expected such "unparliamentary and undesirable" statements from Kharge, the opposition leader in Rajya Sabha.

Pradhan stated that Modi has always shown the Congress leader a great deal of respect, both personally and publically.

10:35 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

DMK MP demands Annamalai's apology over 'disrespect' of state anthem during BJP's campaign 

Kanimozhi, a DMK MP, has requested an apology from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai for 'disrespecting' the state hymn 'Tamil Thai Vazthu' during the BJP's election campaign in Karnataka's Shimoga district. 

Taking to Twitter, Kanimozhi said, "How can someone who could not stop his party members from degrading 'Tamil Thai Vazthu', care about people of Tamil Nadu?" 

In response to the DMK leader, Annamalai tweeted an old news footage of then Opposition Leader and current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin in which it was claimed that the National Anthem was not played after hoisting the national flag at an occasion.

10:07 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

'Ensure victory at booth level': Karnataka CM Bommai reveals PM Modi's message to BJP workers

On Thursday, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed BJP karyakartas (workers) in the poll-bound state to secure victory at the "booth level." 

Following PM Modi's interactive session with party workers on Thursday, ahead of the 10 May Assembly elections, CM Bommai stated that PM Modi conducted a long talk with the party foot soldiers, exhorting them to ensure that the party remains strong and unified to the most basic level.

09:41 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Former CM Siddaramaiah's nephews booked for beating BJP worker

Nagesh, a BJP volunteer from Karnataka's Varuna, claims he was beaten up by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's nephews while campaigning for BJP politician V Somanna in Siddaramanahundi.

Nagesh, who was hurt during the incident, was taken to a local hospital and is being treated. Siddaramaiah's nephews have been named in a lawsuit.

09:30 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Karnataka Congress chief Shivakumar springs a surprise

DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Congress head who is facing a tough struggle from the BJP in his Kanakapura seat, has managed to get Narayana Gowda, a prominent JD(S) politician, to join the party.

Gowda ran against Shivakumar in the 2018 elections and received 47,643 votes. The BJP has fielded R. Ashoka, the current Minister of Revenue and the party's Vokkaliga face. This time, the JD(S) has fielded BR Ramachandra.

Shivakumar, who aspires to be the CM candidate if Congress is elected, wants to win elections by a landslide. However, the contest would be difficult for Shivakumar because Ashoka is completely sponsored by the BJP and the JD(S) candidate has a traditional vote bank in this constituency.