Will not contest upcoming Lok Sabha election: HD Devegowda
Bengaluru, Jan 05: I had become the Prime Minister of this country through pro-people struggle and development. I have seen victories and defeats several times. I will not contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections to strengthen the party and transform youth activists as leaders, said JD (S) national President HD Devegowda.
Speaking to reporters at JP Bhavan on Saturday, he said, "All the regional parties in the country are uniting and they have developed to such an extent that development is possible only through them.
"I have worked hard to build the JDS party. Far from power, I will strive to transform party workers to leaders and to strengthen the party from the root level. Hence, I will not contest Lok Sabha polls anymore," he 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.
