CM Siddaramaiah condemns Khamenei's killing, says efforts on to bring back stranded Kannadigas
Shivamogga (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
He also assured that efforts were underway to bring back Kannadigas stranded in the Middle East.
He said the state government was in constant touch with officials and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety of Indians stuck in Dubai due to flight disruptions.
"The war that is being waged -- in my opinion, the war that America has carried out on Iran -- is unnecessary," Siddaramaiah told reporters.
"On one side, they speak about peace, the Americans, President Trump; on the other side, they wage war. This is a contradictory stand. I strongly condemn this," he said.
Speaking about Khamenei, the Chief Minister said, "We are seeing on television that Khamenei has been killed. I strongly condemn this. I pray that his soul attains eternal peace." On Kannadigas stranded in the West Asia, Siddaramaiah said the State Government had already initiated steps.
"I have already spoken about this. I have spoken to our chief secretary, our principal secretary, and also to our assistant commissioner in Delhi. The airport in Dubai is shut down. As soon as it is opened, efforts will be made to safely bring them back," he said.
When reporters pointed out that JD(S) MLC S L Bhojegowda was also stranded in Dubai with his family, the chief minister said, "I spoke to Bhoje Gowda. He said he is safe and is staying at a hotel.
Siddaramaiah said, "We are also in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs. We are making efforts to bring everyone back safely without causing any inconvenience. All of them are Kannadigas. From Ballari, some 35 people are stuck. The total is 52, including people from other states. We will make efforts to bring all of them back."
The CM added that the state government is in touch with the secretariat of the Ministry of External Affairs. According to him, all the Indians are safe in Dubai.
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India's neighbours wanted to break up Assam but Modi govt shattered their dreams: Fadnavis
Dibrugarh/Jorhat (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed India's neighbours wanted to "break up" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest here earlier, but their "dreams were shattered" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.
Militancy has come to an end, and 92 per cent of the assurances made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he told a poll rally.
Fadnavis maintained that the BJP-led government in Assam has not only ensured the state's development but also protected its identity.
He accused the Congress of having neglected the state and the northeastern region by adopting a "step-motherly attitude" towards them, while Modi has put the region at the centre of development.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP's Dibrugarh candidate Prasanta Phukan, Fadnavis said, "Due to the unrest in the state earlier, neighbouring countries thought they would break Assam someday. But their dreams were shattered by Modi ji, and Assam is progressing fast today."
Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups to the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 per cent of the assurances made have been implemented.
"Work is on for implementing the remaining eight per cent of promises also," he added.
Highlighting the various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said special emphasis was being given on women's empowerment in line with the Centre's thrust on it.
"Women have benefited the most under Modiji's government. It will be 'Mahila raaj' from 2029 when 33 per cent reservation is implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.
Speaking at another rally in support of the BJP's Jorhat candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami earlier, the Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.
"People had to launch a movement against it, and scores were martyred. But the influx did not stop, and the state was burning. It was staring at a full demographic change."
"But the situation changed when Modi came to power. Infiltration has been stopped, and almost all militant groups in the state are returning to the mainstream," he claimed.
Fadnavis claimed that the state's demography would have changed and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.
"But the Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and tradition," he said.
He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.
Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "It is a gift of Modi ji to Assam. It will place the state on the global map."
He added that countries with the ability to manufacture semiconductors will be global leaders in the future, and India has joined the elite ranks of a handful of nations.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged it had always adopted a "step-motherly attitude" towards the northeast, due to which the region did not see much development, and was embroiled in unrest.
He also criticised the opposition party for its "anti-national stance" during the West Asia crisis, claiming it was trying to create discontentment among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.
"We had also been in the opposition, but we had never acted in such a shameful manner," he said.
Taking a dig at state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the opposition party's candidate in Jorhat, Fadnavis said, "Those in Lok Sabha should remain there. BJP will return to power, and he will have no work here."
Gogoi is also the opposition party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.
