Can't fathom Modi mania despite ''bad state'' of the economy: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, June 13: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah Thursday said he was unable to understand the Modi mania, despite the "bad state" of the economy under the previous BJP regime led by him.
The former Chief Minister alleged that the BJP won the Lok Sabha election raising emotive issues, rather than delivering on development.
People of the country, including the media, have favoured Narendra Modi's five year government, despite low GDP growth, increase in unemployment and dwindling value of the Rupee, Siddaramaiah said.
"...they have destroyed the country's economy...despite all this Modi, Modi, Modi- I don't know why?"
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, he said, "As the Prime Minister for five years, what did he do for economic development? Demonetization- what was it's result? You (media) should ask BJP people."
Stating that the economy can be brought back on track, the CLP leader said the BJP would not be able to do it.
The Congress, which is part of the ruling coalition in Karnataka, was routed in the recent Lok Sabha polls, winning only one out of the 21 seats it had contested.
It was the party's worst ever performance in the state, once its bastion.
Congress' alliance partner JD(S) too won one out of the seven seats it contested.
The BJP, in its best ever performance, had won 25 out of the 27 seats it contested.
An independent candidate supported by the BJP had won in Mandya.
Siddaramaiah also raised questions on the Indian Air Force air strikes at Balakot in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
"How many terrorists were killed we still don't know.
Neither the Defence Department nor the Prime Minister's Office or External Affairs Ministry has come out on this. They have misled the people with emotional issues."
He also hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah and said everyone was aware what had happened when he was the Home Minister of Gujarat, but did not elaborate.
Siddaramaiah also asserted that Rahul Gandhi would and should continue as the Congress president.
"In today's situation there is no one else who can take up the job, there is no alternate leadership," he said.
The Congress Legislature party in Karnataka had recently passed a resolution, urging Gandhi to continue in the post.
Gandhi had offered to quit as party chief at the May 25 Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, convened to analyse the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls, in which it won just 52 seats.
The CWC had unanimously rejected his offer to quit, but Gandhi was apparently firm on his stand.
Following Gandhi's insistence on quitting, there is speculation on the need to put in place an interim arrangement in the Congress for decision making, especially in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
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Husband has to equally participate in household chores as he is not marrying a maid: SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday said a husband has to equally participate in household chores like cooking, cleaning and washing as he is not marrying a maid but a life partner.
The observations came from a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta which was hearing a petition filed by a man challenging an order of the Karnataka High Court.
The high court had set aside a trial court order granting divorce to the man on the ground of cruelty.
During the hearing before the apex court, the counsel appearing for the man said the mediation between the parties had failed.
He said the marriage between the parties took place in May 2017 and since 2019, the couple is separated.
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"I (man) want a divorce. The trial court granted a divorce on the ground of cruelty," the counsel said.
The bench asked what the cruelty was as alleged in the matter.
The counsel appearing for the man said the woman had indulged in improper behaviour and was not cooking food.
"You have to equally participate in all these. Cooking, cleaning, washing, everything. Today's times are different," Justice Nath observed, adding the high court was right that it might not be a ground for cruelty.
"You are not marrying a maid. You are marrying a life partner," Justice Mehta observed.
The bench was told that both of them were working in a government school.
"Call both parties physically. We would like to speak to them," the bench said.
It posted the matter for hearing on April 27 and asked both parties to remain present before it.
