News / Author / Vikram Gopal

Vikram Gopal

Vikram Gopal is Hindustan Times’ state correspondent for Karnataka.

Articles by Vikram Gopal

Karnataka rebel Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav resigns, may join BJP

Umesh Jadhav rebelled after he failed to get a ministerial berth when the Congress allied with the JD(S) to form govt in Karnataka.

Rebel Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav (right) submitting his resignation to Karnataka assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Monday. (HT PHOTO)

india news

Published on Mar 04, 2019 11:39 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumar to contest Lok Sabha polls from Mandya

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumar on Monday confirmed that he will contest from the Mandya constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

elections

Updated on Mar 04, 2019 11:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Congress, JD(S) to discuss Karnataka seat-sharing today

Disagreements between the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) continued over Lok Sabha seat sharing in Karnataka even as their coordination committee is expected to meet today to discuss the issue, according to people aware of the developments.

The seat distribution has been contentious, particularly in Karnataka’s southern Old Mysuru region, where the Congress and JD(S) have been direct rivals.(PTI/File Photo)

elections

Updated on Mar 04, 2019 08:53 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

3-year-old boy dies after father assaults him for being naughty

The boy’s body had several injury and cigarette burn marks.

The parents of a three-year-old boy were arrested in connection with his death, with the police believing that they beat him and tortured him for naughtiness and disobedience(Representative Image)

india news

Updated on Feb 28, 2019 11:54 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVikram Gopal

Karnataka high court orders stay on probe against Yeddyurappa over audio clips

Yeddyurappa, a former chief minister, was purportedly recorded trying to entice a Janata Dal (Secular) MLA’s son at a government guest house in Devdurga in Raichur on February 8.

The Karnataka high court on Friday ordered an interim stay on investigations against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president, BS Yeddyurappa, in connection with an audio clip released earlier this month.(PTI)

india news

Published on Feb 22, 2019 11:19 PM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

On the run for a month, Karnataka Congress MLA arrested in Gujarat

J N Ganesh had been absconding for a month after assaulting a fellow legislator Anand SIngh at a resort near Bengaluru.

Comgress MLA J N Ganesh went missing after an FIR was lodged on January 21 for attempted murder.(HT PHOTO)

india news

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 07:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Amit Shah speaks of grand coalition in Tamil Nadu

Railway minister Piyush Goyal, who is incharge of Tamil Nadu for the BJP, is said to be leading his party’s team in the official seat-sharing talks with the BJP.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah spoke of a grand coalition his party would form in Tamil Nadu that would sweep the Lok Sabha elections in the state.(ANI)

elections

Published on Feb 14, 2019 11:46 PM IST

Chennai/Bengaluru | ByM Manikandan and Vikram Gopal

‘Feel like a rape victim’: Karnataka Speaker on audio clip controversy

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said that he felt like a rape victim, who might have been raped only once but was made to relive the incident a 100 times in court.

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar.(ANI photo)

india news

Updated on Feb 12, 2019 10:17 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

SIT to probe controversial Karnataka audio clip

Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said the matter was not limited either to parties or individuals as the whole country was watching what was happening in the state.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy speaks in House during the first day of the Budget Session of Assembly, at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru on February 6.(AP Photo)

india news

Updated on Feb 11, 2019 11:59 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

JD (S) lawmaker claims BJP leaders paid him money to switch loyalties

The fresh allegation comes in the backdrop of a clip purportedly recorded during a meeting between BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and another JD (S) lawmaker Nagangouda Kandkur’s son, Sharangouda.

Janata Dal (Secular) MLA K Srinivasa Gowda alleged that the BJP offered him <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>30 crore to resign from the JD (S).(ANI/Twitter)

india news

Updated on Feb 10, 2019 11:10 PM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

BJP threatens to release video of Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy ‘seeking bribe’

The political battle pitch peaked on Friday after Kumaraswamy released the clips hours before presenting the second Budget of the eight-month-old Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition.

BJP warns of releasing video of Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy’s ‘corruption’.(PTI)

india news

Published on Feb 09, 2019 11:41 PM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Beer to get costlier in Karnataka as budget rains benefits on farmers, mutts

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy announced a slew of measures for farmers and mutts in the 2019-20 state budget. However, this was at the expense of beer drinkers, who would have to shell out more.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy with state ministers DK Shivakumar, MB Patil and DCM G Parameshwara at the start of State Budget Session of Karnataka Assembly, in Bengaluru, Friday.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Feb 08, 2019 09:24 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

On 4 ‘missing’ Karnataka Congress MLAs, Siddaramaiah rushes to cut losses

The four rebel MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Umesh Jadhav, Mahesh Kumathahalli, and B Nagendra, have not turned up despite the Congress issuing a whip on Tuesday asking them to be present throughout the session.

Legislative party leader Siddaramaiah had sent a notice to the missing MLAs on Wednesday.(PTI Photo)

india news

Updated on Feb 08, 2019 03:31 PM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

‘I’ll expose plot’: Karnataka CM’s sharp attack on PM Narendra Modi on alleged horse-trading

The clips feature conversations allegedly between BS Yeddyurappa and Sharangouda Kandkur, the son of Janata Dal(Secular) leader Nagangouda Kandkur, who is an MLA from Gurmitkal.

india news

Updated on Feb 08, 2019 12:54 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

BJP, Congress set for budget day standoff in Karnataka

The 2019 budget for Karnataka is set to be read out amid protests by the BJP, whose legislators entered the well of the House for a second day, having ensured on Wednesday that governor Vajubhai Vala cut short his address to the joint sitting of both Houses.

Bengaluru: BJP legislators raise slogans as Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala addresses the joint session of Assembly on the first day of the Budget Session at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru, Wednesday, Feb 6, 2019.(AP)

india news

Updated on Feb 08, 2019 11:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Four Karnataka Congress MLAs refuse to budge despite issuing whip

The four MLAs have refused to bow to the party’s diktat, having already skipped a Congress legislature party meeting last month.

Bengaluru: BJP legislators protest as Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala leaves after addressing the joint session of Assembly on the first day of the Budget Session at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru, Wednesday, Feb 6, 2019. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak) (PTI2_6_2019_000109B)(PTI)

india news

Updated on Feb 07, 2019 09:13 AM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Karnataka Congress issues whip as it looks to stymie rebels

The Congress in Karnataka attempted to thwart alleged efforts to derail the coalition government with the Janata Dal (Secular) by issuing a whip asking legislators to not just be present for the Budget session, which begins Wednesday, but also to vote in favour of the finance bill.

Four rebel legislators — Ramesh Jarkiholi (pictured), Mahesh Kumathahalli, Umesh Jadhav and B Nagendra — had all been issued show cause notices and though they replied, Congress leaders admit that it is highly likely that they are ready to jump ship.(ANI/Twitter)

cities

Updated on Feb 06, 2019 07:00 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Loan waiver offers little relief to Karnataka farmers

Biliaiah is one of 154 farmers in Karnataka who have killed themselves in the past six months, according to the Karnataka agriculture department which, farmers’ unions claim, routinely plays down the death count.

There have been complaints about the alleged delay in implementation of the waiver, with farmers getting restive after the third year of drought in four years.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Feb 03, 2019 08:47 AM IST

Taggahalli (Karnataka) | ByVikram Gopal

Two IAF pilots killed in Mirage 2000 jet crash

First inducted into IAF in 1984, Friday’s crash was the 11th accident involving the Mirage 2000 fleet. The IAF is now left with 48 Mirage 2000 fighters.

Smoke billows from the wreckage of a Mirage 2000 aircraft which crashed in Bengaluru Friday morning.(ANI)

india news

Updated on Feb 01, 2019 11:21 PM IST

Bengaluru/New Delhi | ByVikram Gopal and Rahul Singh

Deve Gowda warns Congress to control its MLAs

Janata Dal (Secular) chief and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday warned coalition partner Congress that things may go out of control if party MLAs keep making statements against chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.

Deve Gowda’s comment comes days after several state Congress leaders demanded that former chief minister Siddaramaiah be made CM again.(PTI/File Photo)

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Published on Jan 30, 2019 10:24 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

On camera, Congress’s Siddaramaiah yells at woman, snatches her mike

The BJP targeted the Congress-JD(S) government in the state and said “Dushasana has been finally reborn and resumed power in Karnataka.”

The incident took place at a public meeting in Varuna, the constituency of Siddaramaiah’s son.(ANI screengrab/Twitter)

india news

Updated on Jan 28, 2019 07:58 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

‘Congress MLAs crossing the line’: HD Kumaraswamy offers to quit as Karnataka CM

The seven-month-old Kumaraswamy government has faced multiple challenges since it came to power last May.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has threatened to quit after a Congress MLA said former CM Siddaramaiah is their CM.(AP)

elections

Updated on Jan 28, 2019 06:15 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Hand that touches Hindu woman should not exist, says Union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde

Addressing a function, organised by the Hindu Jagrana Vedike,in Karnataka’s Kodaugu district, Hegde also claimed that history had been distorted to claim that the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and instead it was a Shiva temple called Tejo Mahalaya.

Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde has landed in another controversy after saying that “the hand that touches a Hindu woman must not exist” (File Photo)(HT PHOTO)

india news

Updated on Jan 27, 2019 10:22 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

In letter to Siddaramaiah, rebel MLAs pledge loyalty to Congress

Two rebel Congress MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathahalli wrote to former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday to reiterate their loyalty to the party.

india news

Updated on Jan 24, 2019 10:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

‘Public stood by me, not colleagues’: IPS officer Roopa D Moudgil who exposed alleged VIP treatment given to Sasikala in jail

IPS officer Roopa D Moudgil, who exposed the alleged special privileges provided to V K Sasikala, close aide of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, at the Bengaluru Central Prison in 2017 feels vindicated with the report of an independent inquiry committee confirming her charges.

D Roopa Moudgil, who exposed the alleged VIP treatment being given to AIADMK leader VK Sasikala in Parappana Agrahara Central jail.(PTI File Photo)

india news

Published on Jan 22, 2019 10:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVikram Gopal

Karnataka Congress suspends MLA accused of attacking colleague

A committee comprising deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and ministers KJ George and Krishna Byregowda would probe the matter further, the party added.

The Congress on Monday suspended a lawmaker in Karnataka after a fellow party legislator filed a police complaint accusing him of attempting to murder him.(ANI/Twitter)

india news

Updated on Jan 21, 2019 11:40 PM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Congress issues notices to MLAs who missed meet

The absence of the four poses no immediate threat to the government. The JDS-Congress combine has 118 lawmakers in the 224-member Karnataka assembly. It is well above the majority mark – 113.

All India Congress Committee Members Protest against Bhartiya Janta Party and Amit Shah in Bengaluru.(ANI Photo)

india news

Updated on Jan 20, 2019 11:42 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal and Venkatesha Babu

Congress downplays alleged fight between 2 MLAs in Bengaluru, BJP watches in glee

A senior Congress leader confirmed that Anand Singh, MLA from Vijayanagara constituency in Ballari district, was admitted to a private hospital early Sunday, but the reason for hospitalisation was not clear.

The Congress scrambled today to play down an alleged fight between two of its MLAs at a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru.(ANI)

india news

Updated on Jan 20, 2019 06:39 PM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Congress’ show-cause notice to rebels, BJP MLAs return

Former chief minister and Congress legislature party (CLP) chief Siddaramaiah issued notices to rebel MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathahalli asking them to explain their absence from the CLP meeting called on Friday.

Congress legislators continued to stay at the Eagleton Golf Resort for a second day on Saturday and held a second meeting of its legislature party to discuss the way forward for the Lok Sabha.(ANI/Twitter)

india news

Published on Jan 19, 2019 10:54 PM IST

Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal

Karnataka Congress MLAs moved to resort as 4 skip meeting

Four MLAs — Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumathahalli — gave the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting a miss

Congress MLAs move to Eagleton resort after CLP meeting on January 18.(ANI Photo/Twitter)

india news

Updated on Jan 19, 2019 12:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Bengaluru | ByVikram Gopal, Bengaluru

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Vikram Gopal

Vikram Gopal is Hindustan Times’ state correspondent for Karnataka.

Umesh Jadhav rebelled after he failed to get a ministerial berth when the Congress allied with the JD(S) to form govt in Karnataka.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumar on Monday confirmed that he will contest from the Mandya constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Disagreements between the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) continued over Lok Sabha seat sharing in Karnataka even as their coordination committee is expected to meet today to discuss the issue, according to people aware of the developments.

The boy’s body had several injury and cigarette burn marks.

Yeddyurappa, a former chief minister, was purportedly recorded trying to entice a Janata Dal (Secular) MLA’s son at a government guest house in Devdurga in Raichur on February 8.

J N Ganesh had been absconding for a month after assaulting a fellow legislator Anand SIngh at a resort near Bengaluru.

Railway minister Piyush Goyal, who is incharge of Tamil Nadu for the BJP, is said to be leading his party’s team in the official seat-sharing talks with the BJP.

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said that he felt like a rape victim, who might have been raped only once but was made to relive the incident a 100 times in court.

Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said the matter was not limited either to parties or individuals as the whole country was watching what was happening in the state.

The fresh allegation comes in the backdrop of a clip purportedly recorded during a meeting between BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and another JD (S) lawmaker Nagangouda Kandkur’s son, Sharangouda.

The political battle pitch peaked on Friday after Kumaraswamy released the clips hours before presenting the second Budget of the eight-month-old Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy announced a slew of measures for farmers and mutts in the 2019-20 state budget. However, this was at the expense of beer drinkers, who would have to shell out more.

The four rebel MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Umesh Jadhav, Mahesh Kumathahalli, and B Nagendra, have not turned up despite the Congress issuing a whip on Tuesday asking them to be present throughout the session.

The clips feature conversations allegedly between BS Yeddyurappa and Sharangouda Kandkur, the son of Janata Dal(Secular) leader Nagangouda Kandkur, who is an MLA from Gurmitkal.

The 2019 budget for Karnataka is set to be read out amid protests by the BJP, whose legislators entered the well of the House for a second day, having ensured on Wednesday that governor Vajubhai Vala cut short his address to the joint sitting of both Houses.

The four MLAs have refused to bow to the party’s diktat, having already skipped a Congress legislature party meeting last month.

The Congress in Karnataka attempted to thwart alleged efforts to derail the coalition government with the Janata Dal (Secular) by issuing a whip asking legislators to not just be present for the Budget session, which begins Wednesday, but also to vote in favour of the finance bill.

Biliaiah is one of 154 farmers in Karnataka who have killed themselves in the past six months, according to the Karnataka agriculture department which, farmers’ unions claim, routinely plays down the death count.

First inducted into IAF in 1984, Friday’s crash was the 11th accident involving the Mirage 2000 fleet. The IAF is now left with 48 Mirage 2000 fighters.

Janata Dal (Secular) chief and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday warned coalition partner Congress that things may go out of control if party MLAs keep making statements against chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.

The BJP targeted the Congress-JD(S) government in the state and said “Dushasana has been finally reborn and resumed power in Karnataka.”

The seven-month-old Kumaraswamy government has faced multiple challenges since it came to power last May.

Addressing a function, organised by the Hindu Jagrana Vedike,in Karnataka’s Kodaugu district, Hegde also claimed that history had been distorted to claim that the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and instead it was a Shiva temple called Tejo Mahalaya.

Two rebel Congress MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathahalli wrote to former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday to reiterate their loyalty to the party.

IPS officer Roopa D Moudgil, who exposed the alleged special privileges provided to V K Sasikala, close aide of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, at the Bengaluru Central Prison in 2017 feels vindicated with the report of an independent inquiry committee confirming her charges.

A committee comprising deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and ministers KJ George and Krishna Byregowda would probe the matter further, the party added.

The absence of the four poses no immediate threat to the government. The JDS-Congress combine has 118 lawmakers in the 224-member Karnataka assembly. It is well above the majority mark – 113.

A senior Congress leader confirmed that Anand Singh, MLA from Vijayanagara constituency in Ballari district, was admitted to a private hospital early Sunday, but the reason for hospitalisation was not clear.

Former chief minister and Congress legislature party (CLP) chief Siddaramaiah issued notices to rebel MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathahalli asking them to explain their absence from the CLP meeting called on Friday.

Four MLAs — Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumathahalli — gave the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting a miss

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