Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Today newsletter: BJP Central Disciplinary Committee issues show-cause notice to B.P. Yatnal, and more

The BJP Central Disciplinary Committee issued a show-cause notice to “rebel” leader and senior MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for allegedly violating party’s discipline by indulging in public attacks at party leadership. The letter dated December 1, 2024, and signed by Committee Member Secretary Om Pathak has given a 10-day deadline for Mr. Yatnal, to show cause as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. 

This is being seen as a setback to the group of rebel leaders who are in Delhi now under the leadership of Mr. Yatnal to meet the party central leadership on various issues including that of submitting an initial report on the Waqf row. Mr. Yatnal has been publicly attacking BJP Veteran leader B.S. Yediyurappa and his son B.Y. Vijayendra, who is also party State president, for some time. He has particularly accused them of colluding with Congress leaders such as Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar. 

Incessant rainfall lashing Bengaluru due to the impact of Cyclone Fengal resulted in the inundation of multiple roads, and tree falls causing inconvenience to residents and commuters. Residents in low-lying areas are in fear of flooding. Till 8:30 p.m. on Sunday (December 1, 2024), Bengaluru city received 19 mm of rainfall. The downpour continued even on December 2 morning.

The city recorded a minimum temperature of 20.4 degrees celsius which is 2.3 degrees lower than normal. According to the IMD, the city is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall for the next 24 hours. Schools in Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagara, Kolar and Chikkaballapura remained closed due to rains.

The Minority Welfare Department of Karnataka has issued notices to the principals (headmasters) of more than 60 Moulana Azad Model Schools whose students scored below the State average (73.4%) in the SSLC exam 2024, holding them directly responsible for the fall in results. Objecting to this, the principals have requested immediate withdrawal of the disciplinary action notices.

This year, compared to schools under the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Maulana Azad Model Schools have recorded the lowest results in SSLC exam, with most schools recording less than 50%. The department has warned that disciplinary action will be taken as per the Karnataka Civil Services Rules if a written explanation is not submitted within seven days.

A wild elephant entered the temple town of Kukke Subrahmanya in Dakshina Kannada late evening on December 1, 2024. A forest department official said that the elephant was spotted in the town at about 8 p.m. After forest officials and locals chased the pachyderm, it disappered into the nearby forest after some time.