Yeddyurappa seeks dissolution of Karnataka assembly and fresh polls
Bengaluru, May 28: BJP's Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa Tuesday said it would be "better" if the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the State dissolves the assembly and goes for fresh polls.
The former chief minister also ruled out the possibility of any BJP MLA switching sides to the Congress or the JD(S).
"In 177 assembly constituencies (out of 224) we are in number one place, we have won 25 Lok sabha constituencies (out of 28), better if they dissolve the assembly and go for fresh elections...we will welcome (if they take that decision)," Yeddyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he asserted that not even a single MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party will go to the Congress or the Janata Dal (Secular) as being claimed by those parties.
"I'm not bothered....it is impossible, they (Congress and JDS) are saying such thing to create confusion," he added.
The Congress-JD(S) alliance having faced a rout in the Lok Sabha polls with both parties managed to win only one seat each, and growing discontent within the parties with some of their members blaming the partnership for their "worst ever" performance, coalition leaders fear BJP may poach its MLAs taking advantage of the situation.
Aimed at saving the government, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has swung into action and is personally meeting disgruntled legislators, mainly from the Congress and is making attempts to pacify them.
Rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, who has allegedly been rubbing shoulders with the BJP for some time, has threatened to resign from the party along with some MLAs after the Lok Sabha polls, worrying the coalition leadership as it will trigger a number game in the assembly.
The BJP has predicted the collapse of the coalition and increase in its tally in the assembly after the Lok Sabha poll results, claiming that 20-odd Congress MLAs are unhappy and may take a decision anytime.
Not willing to give any direct response to a question about the BJP forming the government, Yeddyurappa said: "We will wait and see the atmosphere...and will take appropriate decision in appropriate time."
Though Karnataka BJP leaders were upbeat about the collapse of the coalition government after the Lok Sabha results, the party central leadership is said to have asked the state leadership not to make any immediate attempts to topple the government, party sources said.
According to the sources, the state leadership has been asked to wait till Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet is sworn in, as any move at this juncture would send a wrong message.
Out of the 224-member Karnataka assembly, the BJP has 105 MLAs, Congress-78, JD(S)-37, BSP (1), Independent (1)(both currently supporting the ruling alliance), KPJP (1) and the Speaker.
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Correspondents' dinner firing: World leaders say political violence has no place in democracy
Washington (PTI): World leaders expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and other guests were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner here on Saturday night and asserted that political violence has no place in a democracy.
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania and Vice President J D Vance were safe and unharmed after a security incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner in Washington.
Modi said violence has no place in democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.
"Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," Modi said in a post on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has had frequent run-ins with Trump, described the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel as a “disturbing event”.
“I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington tonight. Political violence has no place in any democracy, and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney said in a post on X.
President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung asserted that political violence “can never be justified under any circumstances.”
“The Government of the Republic of Korea firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that erode the values of democracy and the rule of law,” he said in a social media post.
Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi said, “Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world”
“I am relieved to hear that President Trump is safe following the terrifying gunfire. Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world,” she posted on social media.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “an attack on all the democracies.”
"This wasn't just an attack on Donald Trump. This was an attack on a candidate for the presidency of the United States. This was an attack on America. It was an attack on democracy, it was an attack on all the democracies,” he posted on social media.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said it was “good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events”.
“We send them our respect. Violence must never be the way,” she said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to hear all attendees were safe. “We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,” he said in a statement.
Delcy Rodriguez, the acting President of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces, condemned the attack against Trump.
"We extend our best wishes to them and to all attendees of the Correspondent’s dinner. Violence is never an option for those who uphold the values of peace," she wrote on X.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took to social media to condemn the incident, stating he was "deeply shocked" to hear the news.
"Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe," Sharif said.
Trump has survived two assassination attempts over the past two years – first at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
