Congress MLAs protest in Karnataka assembly against discussion on 'One Nation, One Election'
Terms it RSS agenda
Bengaluru, Mar 4: Congress members on Thursday staged a protest in the Karnataka Assembly against Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri's decision to hold a special discussion 'One Nation, One Election', terming it as "RSS agenda".
As Congress alleged that discussion on the topic was being taken up against the rules and unilaterally without their consent, the Speaker hit back stating that the opposition was backing off at the last minute after having submitted the list of names of members who will participate in the debate from their side.
Congress members termed the move to take up the discussion on the subject as "dictatorial, fascist, Hitler attitude and part of RSS agenda."
Speaker Kageri had earlier said the discussion on 'One Nation, One Election' was being held following the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting of Speakers of legislative assemblies held in Gujarat.
Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah questioned under which rule the discussion on the topic was being taken up, and according to him it cannot be taken up.
Stating that though the Speaker had communicated to him about the discussion on the topic over the phone and at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meetings earlier, he said his party had not agreed for the discussion.
The Speaker said he can allow such special discussions using his residual powers and pointed out that a similar special discussion was held on the constitution, during the previous sessions.
Siddaramaiah said, 'One Nation, One Election' is regarding synchronising assembly and parliamentary election, and it was not a matter limited to the state.
Stating that Speaker's residual powers should be limited only to special circumstances, Ramesh Kumar (Cong), a former Speaker, said the topic here was regarding elections and there were provisions for it under electoral reforms.
Intervening, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said, the discussion on 'One Nation, One Election' was being taken up after discussions at the BAC meetings.
"If anyone has any opposition express it during the debate," he said and requested the Speaker to make his introductory remarks.
Even as senior Congress MLA H K Patil raised a point of order, Speaker Kageri, not taking it into consideration, started reading out his introductory speech.
Angered by the Speaker's move and calling it dictatorial, Congress members trooped into the well of the House.
Siddaramaiah said, "We will not allow this discussion to happen."
"This is the RSS agenda, this is a hidden agenda, we are moving towards dictatorship.The Central government and the Prime Minister want to be dictator," he added.
Despite Congress members' raising slogans against him accusing him of murdering democracy, disrespecting the constitution and calling him an agent of RSS, the Speaker continued his speech that stressed the need for the debate on 'One Nation, One Election', as repeated elections hamper the functioning of the government and delays developmental work.
After his speech, he pointed out to Siddaramaih that he had got the list of 19 people willing to talk on the topic from the Congress side, and said backtracking and disrupting at the last minute was not right.
As Congress continued the protest, Yediyurappa made his short remarks in support of the debate on the topic, stating that it will help administrative machinery to function efficiently.
Hitting out at the Congress, Yediyurappa said the opposition members do not have trust in anything and they were not interested in discussion also.
"Your act of protesting everything is shameful, people of the state won't forgive you....stop it," he said.
Despite the Speaker's request to the opposition to participate in the debate and express their views, Congress members did not relent and continued with their agitation from the well of the House.
Intervening, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavarj Bommai said, two days' discussion on 'One Nation, One Election' was mentioned in the agenda as agreed in the BAC.
Few people can't hold the house to ransom, and there was no room for any point of order, he said, as Congress members shouted that the point of order by their colleague H K Patil, questioning a letter sent to members by the assembly secretary asking them to stick to the topic during the discussion, be taken up.
Patil later told reporters that he wanted to question the Secretary's authority in issuing such "directions" to members.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
