Bengaluru: Strike by unions may affect normal life tomorrow and day after
Bengaluru, Jan 7: Normal life is likely to be affected in the city and several parts of Karnataka on Tuesday following the two-day nation-wide general strike called by central trade unions against the alleged 'repressive' policies for workers by the Narendra Modi government.
With state transport buses likely to stay off the roads, commuters, office goers who use the service may face the brunt.
However, the metro service in Bengaluru, as also auto and taxi service, are likely to function as usual.
Hotels, malls and film theaters are also likely to function as usual, with their unions extending "moral" support to the strike.
Bank services are likely to be disrupted.
District administrations have been given the authority to declare a holiday for schools and colleges depending on the situation there, officials said.
Some universities have deferred the examinations.
In the wake of the strike tomorrow and the day after, representatives of trade unions met Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and briefed him about the reasons for the strike.
"The strike will be successful in the state...buses won't be there as they will observe strike, we have given notice.
Banks will also not be there. Almost all activities will not be there," AITUC leader Anantha Subbarao told reporters after meeting the Chief Minister.
Stating that it will be a "total strike", he said it is being observed nationally against the policies of the Modi government.
The trade unions have decided to hold a protest march from the Town Hall in the city to Freedom Park on Tuesday, and on Wednesday from the Town Hall to Raj Bhavan.
Meanwhile, describing the two-day Bharat Bandh as "illogical, irrational and politically-motivated" move called by frustrated elements, the Karnataka BJP has called on the people to reject the bandh call and carry on with their normal daily activities.
In a statement here, BJP general secretary N Ravi Kumar said not one issue - on the basis of which the anti-BJP parties have given call for bandh - is convincing and logical.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
