BJP MLAs being kept in "confinement" at Gurugram hotel, alleges Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Jan 17: Hitting out at the BJP for making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday accused the saffron party of keeping its MLAs in "confinement" at a hotel in Gurugram.
Grappling with the political turmoil triggered by reports that the BJP was luring Congress MLAs, Kumaraswamy rejected a charge by the saffron party that he was trying to poach their lawmakers.
"Some people tried to misuse you (the media) in spreading a feeling that on January 15 there would be some-kranthi (revolution).I feel instead of doing some-kranthi they have done some-branti (illusion) to themselves," Kumaraswamy said.
Kumaraswamy was referring to reports about alleged claims in BJP that there would be "some kranthi (revolution)" by 'Sankranthi' on January 15, the festival of harvests in Karnataka, to suggest that the government would fall.
Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said BJP state president Yeddyurappa making repeated claims that Congress-JD(S) leaders, especially the Chief Minister, was luringhis party MLAs, was "surprising" for him.
"They are making all kinds of futile attempts (to destabilise the government)...," he said.
The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and BJP have accused each other of trying to lure the MLAs.
Hitting out at Yeddyurappa for criticising his foreign visit along with family on New Year's eve when the state was reeling under drought, Kumaraswamy asked the BJP president about his party MLAs now spending time at a five star hotel.
Yeddyurappa had spoken with anger although only he was concerned about the farmers and difficulties of the people, he said.
"Is Yeddyurappa and party taking stock of the drought situation in Gurugram, sitting at the hotel? Has the situation in Karnataka improved now?" he asked.
The Chief Minister flayed Yeddyurappa for allegedly confining BJP MLAs at a hotel, while pointing out that the ruling coalition legislators were free.
"I am surprised when you (Yeddyurappa) criticise the Congress and JD(S) for their inability to keep MLAs together..but, you have kept your MLAs in confinement at a hotel, are there differences between you and your MLAs?
We have not kept any of our MLAs in confinement, we have left them free," Kumaraswamy said.
"You (BJP) are doing everything (trying to poach MLAs), but now blaming us, if you feel that people will accept whatever you say, you are wrong. People will give answer to BJP leaders at the right time," he added.
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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.
