Kumaraswamy asserts that he is not under pressure from Congress
Bengaluru, Jan 9: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday rubbished media reports that he was working under pressure and alleged interference from coalition partner Congress, terming them "speculative" and imaginary".
Reiterating that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government would complete its five-year term amid repeated speculation about its longevity, he said "let there be no disbelief in this regard.
"What should I say about speculative news that has come in the media? They are imaginary it has been created," Kumaraswamy told reporters.
"It is said that I'm working and running this administration in a stifling atmosphere. It is a creation of of some sections of the media.
The discussions that took place in our legislature party meeting is different. I don't know how to react to such speculative news," he said.
According to reports, Kumaraswamy had told party legislators at a recent meeting that he was working under pressure.
He had reportedly told them that he was functioning like a clerk and accused the Congress of interference.
Expressing confidence that the coalition government would complete its five-year term"smoothly", Kumaraswamy said, "let there be no disbelief in this regard."
Reacting to media reports that the Committee on New Education Policy had, in its recommendations, suggested making Hindi compulsory till class VIII, he said "at the time we go for elections, any decision by the union government at this last stage will not have any value. That's my opinion."
Not wishing to make any comments about the proposed controversial steel flyover in Bengaluru,which he had objected to while in the opposition, Kumaraswamy said easing out the problems of the city's citizens was his "top priority".
The government had on January 1 decided to review and take up a multi-billion steel bridge project here, which it had scrapped owing to massive public protests in the city.
"For me, the steel bridge or any other kind of infrastructure work is not important. Easing out the problems of Bangaluru city citizens is my top priority," he added.
Earlier, Congress state campaign committee chief H K Patil had downplayed Kumaraswamy's reported comments about working under pressure and alleged interference from Congress, saying that any issue could be discussed with the party leadership and solved.
He had reiterated his party's stand that both alliance partners would face the Lok Sabha polls together and would even go in for joint campaigning, wherever necessary.
"I have seen media reports about Kumaraswamy's comments, but want to say that elected members may be putting pressure on the chief minister about development and constituency related works. He should not feel that we are putting pressure (on him)," Patil had told reporters.
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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.
