Hubballi: Minister Santhosh Lad takes dig at PM Modi, questions his ‘Vishwa Guru’ claim
Hubballi: Labour Minister Santhosh Lad launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the credibility of his claim of being a ‘Vishwa Guru’ (world leader or supreme teacher). Speaking at a public event in the Hubballi-Dharwad West constituency, the minister asked why someone claiming to be a global leader had to go door-to-door seeking votes.
“We find Modi rushing to beg for votes during elections,” Lad said. “He even uses the bravery of our soldiers on the borders to ask for votes. This reflects a complete lack of shame,” he remarked, drawing criticism against what he termed the Prime Minister’s use of national issues for political gain.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Lad said, “Barely three months after terrorists from Pakistan brutally killed innocent people, our government allowed the Indian cricket team to play matches against Pakistan in a championship organized by the ICC, which is headed by the Union Home Minister’s son. The question is whether we really needed to play those matches.”
He alleged that the Central government maintains double standards in its dealings with Pakistan and accused it of “enjoying friendly ties” despite repeated attacks. “They do all this because they don’t consider themselves answerable to anyone,” he said.
The minister also accused the BJP of dividing the nation along communal lines. “The BJP and leaders like Modi and Amit Shah campaign only on the basis of religion to gain votes. The youth of India must recognize this divisive strategy,” he added.
Urging young voters to engage critically with leaders, Lad said, “When Minister Pralhad Joshi mocks Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in press meets, question him about the loans of our country. In 1947, India’s loan was ₹55 lakh crore; today, it has risen to over ₹200 lakh crore. In 2014, one US dollar was worth ₹54 today it’s ₹90. Ask him these questions, but don’t expect the BJP to answer honestly.”
Lad concluded his speech by urging citizens to hold leaders accountable for the nation’s economic and social condition rather than being swayed by religious and emotional appeals during elections.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
