Amit Shah discusses recent developments, organisation with CM Bommai in poll-bound Karnataka
Bengaluru, Aug 4: During his visit to Karnataka, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is said to have discussed recent developments and organisational matters with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and senior BJP leaders of the state, where assembly elections are likely before May next year, party sources said on Thursday.
Shah, who landed in the city late on Wednesday night to attend 'Sankalp Se Siddhi', an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here to celebrate 75 years of Indian independence today, is also said to have held deliberations with state BJP strong man and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
According to sources, he discussed the recent communal murders including that of BJP activist Praveen Nettar in Dakshina Kannada district, which triggered widespread protest and spate of resignations of party and its Yuva Morcha members at various places, and open expression of angst by several Hindutva ideologues and organisation, accusing the state government of not standing up to protect the lives of Hindu Karyakartas.
Shah gathered details of recent murders in Dakhsina Kannada and related incidents from Home Minister Araga Jnanendra.
"Cannot reveal everything to you, he has gathered information. Rather than saying he sought explanation, he has taken information, also discussed strengthening the NIA probe," Jnanendra told reporters in response to a query.
Noting that Shah is satisfied with the government's performance, he said, "He gets all the information, he need not come to Bengaluru to do things.....he also gives suggestions from time to time."
Shah is also said to have had some informal talks regarding some organisational changes, with the term of state party chief Nalin Kumar Kateel coming to end this month, sources said, adding that however there is no clarity on discussions on the much awaited expansion or rejig of Bommai cabinet.
Kateel had taken over as state BJP President from Yediyurappa in August, 2019.
Shah's meeting with Yediyurappa gains significance, following him signaling the end of his innings in electoral politics by stating that he will vacate his Shikaripura assembly seat for son B Y Vijayendra, if party fields him in 2023 assembly polls.
Many in the party feel that the leadership wants to ensure that Yediyurappa doesn't feel sidelined, as it fears negative implications for the party in the polls, in the event of the veteran leader choosing to remain inactive.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
