ECI issues notice to organisers of Mangaluru 'mid-street Iftar'
Mangaluru, Apr 1: The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to the organisers of the infamous ‘mid-street Iftar party’ held at Mudupi grama Panchayat near here.
Over 200 metres of State Highway was blocked for over four hours from 2pm for the event on March 30.
In the notice issued on Sunday, the ECI has notified the main organiser of the 'Auto Rajakanmar Iftar' event, Abubakar Siddique, for violating the election model code of conduct.
The Iftar party was arranged on the state highway in Ullal Taluk at Mudipu junction, which is a busy intersection leading to the new IT hub of Dakshina Kannada district.
The ECI took note of the video of the event after it went viral on social media platforms.
The event had restricted the traffic to one side of the road making it difficult for the motorists and pedestrians for more than 4 hours during peak time.
All the rickshaw drivers of Ullal Taluk had conducted this iftar gathering which was attended by traders and locals. The event was hailed as a bold step towards communal harmony as they claimed that people from various communities participated in the event.
The ECI notice has asked Siddique to explain why action should not be taken against him for violating ECI norms.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
