Modi 'incapable of defending, upholding India's sovereignty'; he must stepdown: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Terming the US waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil for 30 days as "deeply humiliating", Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down, as he accused him of repeatedly demonstrating that "he is incompetent and incapable" of defending India's sovereignty.
Siddaramaiah said, while RSS-BJP leaders keep demanding that the words "secular" and "socialist" be removed from the Constitution, under their rule, "sovereignty" itself appears to have been removed in practice.
"Narendra Modi has demonstrated again and again that he is incompetent and incapable of defending and upholding India's sovereignty and dignity. For the good of the nation, he must step down," Siddaramaiah posted on 'X'.
"It is deeply humiliating that the United States is now openly saying it will allow India to buy Russian oil for 30 days. No foreign government should ever be in a position to grant or deny India permission to run its economy. Yet this is the situation India finds itself in under Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.
Amid the escalating conflict with Iran, the US recently said it is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil.
Meanwhile, hitting back at Siddaramaiah, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra said, it is unfortunate that a sitting chief minister has reduced himself to the level of a full-time troll, desperately competing with one of his own prank-specialist ministers for social media attention.
Claiming that it increasingly feels as if India's capital is not New Delhi, but Washington DC, Siddaramaiah said in his post that Donald Trump speaks like the acting Prime Minister of India, while Narendra Modi appears reduced to a puppet who merely follows instructions.
"A prime minister of a sovereign republic cannot allow such a situation to arise," he said.
Noting that the pattern is impossible to ignore, the CM pointed out that Trump repeatedly claims credit for the Operation Sindoor ceasefire, yet we have heard no strong rebuttal from PM Modi.
"The United States tells India not to buy Iranian oil, and the Modi government complies. Pressure is applied on Russian oil imports - India reduces them. Now the United States announces that Indian refineries are allowed to buy Russian oil for only 30 days," he said.
Stating that the "continuous and meek surrender" to the United States makes his and his party's earlier doubts look increasingly true, Siddaramaiah said, "The Adani investigation and the Epstein files - where Narendra Modi's closest allies are entangled - appear to have been weaponised by Donald Trump and used as a tool to blackmail India. So much for the hollow claims of making India a Vishwaguru".
The CM further said India must speak with its own voice in the world. At a time when the world is torn by war and bloodshed, India must show moral leadership and independent thinking, guided by its own history.
In his retort, Vijayendra said this is not the UPA era, when the government functioned as a "remote-controlled establishment" under Congress top leader Sonia Gandhi, "readily surrendering India's sovereign interests at the slightest pressure from Washington."
"The world has not forgotten how the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton openly confirmed that India had reduced oil imports from Iran under American pressure - that too in the presence of the UPA's own external affairs minister. Few moments in India's diplomatic history have been more humiliating or revealing," the state BJP chief said.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
