Cong has acquired a long term vision now
A major point that could have been detrimental for the coalition government has been tackled right away. The question whether Kumaraswamy would remain a full term CM could have been a bone of contention if it was not addressed right now. The fact that this question has been answered without giving much space for it to gain different proportions is not only a surprising move, but also a fact that has brought much solace to the people of the state. It was rather inevitable that Congress with its 78 seats would offer the CM post on a platter to JD(S) with 37 seats. But it was somehow assumed that JD(S) and Congress would share the term of CM equally between themselves. Congress even deserved to have a CM of its own party for half the term. Because people’s mandate is favourably leaning towards Congress and the party has a large vote share too. And JD(S) would have been on a beneficial side with this arrangement. However, former PM Deve Gowda turned the whole situation in the favour of his party. And for the first time perhaps, Congress has faced the reality on a very pragmatic note. The party has set its sights on long term benefits of having to let go of the CM’s post for now.
Congress plans to come back in a big way in 2019 elections, hopefully clinching the PM post for itself. The expectations of Congress in the state went haywire, and this has given them a very uncertain feeling about 2019 elections. The party strategy now needs to be stronger than before to face the elections. Hence Congress is forging alliance with smaller parties at every possible opportunity to pose a challenge to NDA in the upcoming elections. That’s the whole reason behind offering CM’s post to HD Kumaraswamy for full term. If JD(S) and Congress can truck together to face elections in the state, the results can be highly favourable. JD(S) will have to return the favour by catapulting Rahul to the post of PM. If JD(S) has entered into coalition with BJP, Kumaraswamy would have probably lost his life time opportunity to be a full term CM! He would have had to share the seat with Yeddyurappa like it happened last time.
And even that would have been tough since the undercurrents of BJP suggest otherwise. Now JD(S) has the opportunity to have its cake and eat it too. Till last time, JD(S) didn’t hope to clinch big number of seats. The results weren’t even promising. Yet, the fact that it is riding over the party with 78 MLAs is a fact that may create discontentment among the Congress members. Hence, soon after coalition government was formed, there were statements about the term of the current CM wasn’t decided yet. But the Delhi high command concurring and announcing full support for HDK’s full term as CM, hasn’t gone down well among the members of Cong. Time can only answer how this entire decision would play out in Lok Sabha elections. This may weaken Congress and strengthen JD(S)’s presence in the state. Now major portfolios have gone to JD(S). Having suffered through demonetization, JD(S) will definitely find this a major resource to spring back to form. HDK as full term CM can work wonders for the confidence of JD(S) members and the party by the time Lok Sabha elections arrive.
But looks like this is a tentative situation since many Cong members have already expressed doubts on HDK’s full term run, and its impact on Congress in the state. Hence the coalition may continue till 2019 elections and then the fight for CM post may assume full form after the elections depending on how well Congress does.
Some members may even quit the party dissatisfied over HDK being given all the power. Hence the probabilities of 2019 elections has definitely raised curiosity in the state. If the allies like it happened in UP join in, BJP may face a tough challenge. But we have also seen how fast the allies have dissipated into thin air in the country. Rahul Gandhi may be the PM candidate in Congress and other parties may have even more experienced seniors much deserving of the post. Hence, it is not impossible for even HD Devegowda to push Rahul aside and occupy the seat himself. The Congress then would have lost the big and small picture both.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
