Kumaraswamy demands immediate local body elections, criticises Congress government
Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has called for the immediate announcement of local body elections, accusing the Congress government in Karnataka of neglecting the democratic process.
He criticised the government for failing to hold elections for the district, taluk panchayats, and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which he described as the foundational pillars of democracy. He attacked the Congress government stating that the Congress government in the state, which has done publicity on the pretext of human chain, is not concerned about saving democracy.
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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kumaraswamy questioned the delay in conducting local body elections despite the Congress coming to power 1 year four months ago. He sarcastically remarked on the government's focus on populist measures and media campaigns, while ignoring the essential democratic processes.
Kumaraswamy also questioned whether the Congress’ actions truly uphold the democratic principles laid down by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, suggesting that the party's priorities lie elsewhere. He demanded that the government announce the elections to "strengthen the chain of real democracy."
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
