BJP leadership asks Karnataka ministers to start talking about development
Bengaluru, Apr 9: Amid the recent communal issues in Karnataka, the BJP central leadership has asked leaders of its state unit and ministers to bring the development agenda to the fore and showcase the achievements of the government, in the wake of assembly polls next year.
Several ministers are holding press conferences at the party office to list out their achievements.
Holding one such press meet on Saturday, senior minister K S Eshwarappa, who is in-charge of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department, accepted that it is being done as per the directions of the party leadership.
"Yes... (there is a direction from the high command)," he said in response to a question on ministers presenting their progress report to people through the media.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "When I go to my village or constituency, I have to tell people what was promised and what was delivered. Similarly, we are telling the people about our achievements, and asking them to give us their votes."
Accusing the opposition of trying to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims and only trying to create a propaganda out of it, the minister said, "Even Al-Qaeda got involved now..." in reference to the video in which the terror group chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri praised a Karnataka college student for confronting a group of students opposing hijab in her college.
He said the BJP is now using the media to showcase the government's achievements known to the people of the state.
Asked, amid communal issues, whether the focus has shifted to development after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state in the run-up to 2023 assembly polls, Eshwarappa said, "I have openly accepted...we are purposely placing development works before the people as elections are coming."
On the Congress accusing the BJP government of bringing out communal issues, as the ruling party has nothing to speak about development, he said, "Take down, we are listing out (our achievements). We are placing it department wise... we are not 'mouni babas' to keep quiet. When Congress raises communal issues like hijab, we will respond to them."
Shah, who was recently in the city, had set a target of winning 150 seats to Karnataka BJP leaders for the 2023 assembly elections in the state, where the ruling party is eyeing a successive term.
The state has been witnessing a series of communal issues from hijab issue to a call for banning loudspeakers at mosques for the last couple of months.
Amid such developments in the state, the central leadership has asked Karnataka leaders and ministers to also showcase developmental works and achievements, while responding to opposition's allegations on communal issues, a senior BJP functionary said.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Microsoft's 50th anniversary party over Israel contract
Washington, Apr 5 (AP): A pro-Palestinian protest by Microsoft employees interrupted the company's 50th anniversary celebration Friday, the latest backlash over the tech industry's work to supply artificial intelligence technology to the Israeli military.
The protest happened as Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was presenting product updates and a long-term vision for the company's AI assistant product, Copilot, to an audience that included Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer.
“Mustafa, shame on you,” shouted Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad as she walked toward the stage and Suleyman paused his speech. “You claim that you care about using AI for good but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty-thousand people have died and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region.”
“Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” Suleyman said. Aboussad continued, shouting that he and “all of Microsoft” had blood on their hands. She also threw onto the stage a keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestinian people, before being escorted out of the event.
A second protester, Microsoft employee Vaniya Agrawal, interrupted another part of the celebration during which Gates, Ballmer and current CEO Satya Nadella were on stage — the first public gathering since 2014 of the three men who have been Microsoft's CEO.
An investigation by The Associated Press revealed earlier this year that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI had been used as part of an Israeli military program to select bombing targets during the recent wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The story also contained details of an errant Israeli airstrike in 2023 that struck a vehicle carrying members of a Lebanese family, killing three young girls and their grandmother.
In February, five Microsoft employees were ejected from a meeting with CEO Satya Nadella for protesting the contracts. While the February event was an internal meeting, Friday's protest was far more public — a livestreamed showcase of the company's past and future.
“We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard," said a statement from the company Friday. “Importantly, we ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption. If that happens, we ask participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold the highest standards.”
Microsoft declined to say whether it would take further action.
An employee disrupted Microsoft’s 50th anniversary event to protest its use of AI.
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) April 4, 2025
“Shame on you,” said Microsoft worker Ibtihal Aboussad, speaking directly to Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. “You are a war profiteer. Stop using AI for genocide. Stop using AI for genocide in… pic.twitter.com/cfub3OJuRv
