BJP's 'operation lotus' is detrimental to democracy: Siddaramaiah
Chikmagaluru, Jan 16: The BJP leaders have been trying to destabilise the government through ‘Operation Lotus’ which is detrimental to democratic system in the country, said former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi who preaches moral lessons to others, has stooped to the lowest level of toppling a government. But he was telling about the party principles. The coalition government has no threat. It would complete its full five years term. BJP people were under illusion and they were offering Rs 25- to 50 crore to attract the MLAs from other parties. Where did they get that amount? Was it not the amount earned through corruption? No MLA would fall prey to BJP’s horse trading strategy. It was a drama. The Congress MLAs have gone to Mumbai on personal works. It was their personal issue, he said.
Did Ramesh Jarkiholi disclose anywhere that he would desert the Congress and join BJP? The BJP has kept 104 MLAs in ‘house arrest’. It was not good for Yeddyurappa and his team. Yeddyurappa who want to become the chief minister overnight has no mandate. No Congress MLAs including Ramesh Jarkiholi have gone anywhere. Everything was just a rumour, he clarified.
“BJP leaders have planned to poach Congress MLAs through ‘Operation Lotus’. In the same way, many BJP MLAs are in touch with us. But we would not do such silly politics. People have not voted the BJP to power. Even then, ever since the coalition government came to power, the BJP people have been trying to establish its government through wicked means.
During every festival, they have been misleading the people saying that they would give a gift. BJP people do not have faith on the Constitution and the democracy”, he said.
In a democratic system, people have given the verdict to the BJP to work as opposition party. Instead of doing their duty as a strong opposition party, the BJP has been trying to get power with all illegal means and offering crores of rupees to MLAs. Keeping the MLAs under house arrest in resorts, the BJP leaders have been misleading the people. Whatever they say, that’s a lie. Media should report their lies, Siddaramaiah said.
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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.
