Former MLA Raghupathi Bhat voices discontent over BJP's Vidhan Parishad candidate selection
Udupi: Former MLA Raghupathi Bhat expressed his discontent with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the party announced its candidates for the Vidhan Parishad. The ticket for the teacher constituency was given to the Chikkamagaluru candidate of the JDS party and the ticket for the graduate constituency was given to the BJP candidate from Shivamogga.
Bhat, who has been a longstanding member of the BJP and has served in various capacities since 1994, voiced his disappointment on Facebook.
The BJP decided to field candidates from different regions for the teacher and graduate constituencies, deviating from its tradition of nominating candidates from the coastal region for four decades. Bhat highlighted this departure, stating that despite the presence of educated and capable individuals from Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu, the party chose candidates from other areas.
Recalling his own experience, Bhat mentioned that despite being denied a ticket in the previous Assembly election, he continued to support the party. He was assured by party elders that he would be allowed to contest in the graduate constituency election. Consequently, he actively participated in the membership campaign and contributed significantly to the party's efforts in Shivamogga.
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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.
