JD(S) committing suicide by fielding Dr C N Manjunath on BJP ticket: DCM D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru, March 19: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said the JD(S) was committing suicide by fielding former Prime Minister H D Devegowda's son-in-law Dr C N Manjunath on a BJP ticket.
The BJP gave a ticket to the renowned cardiologist and the retired director of state-owned Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. He will fight the election against Shivakumar's brother and three-time MP D K Suresh.
Referring to Kumaraswamy's statement that the JD(S) did not need an alliance with the BJP to contest in two seats, Shivakumar said, "I expected this. The JDS is embarrassed by the alliance with the BJP."
Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar added, "The BJP has been doing this to its partners in other states too. It is their internal matter, let them decide."
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He said the JD(S) is committing suicide by fielding Dr Manjunath on a BJP ticket.
Asked about plans to induct BJP MP and former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda into Congress, he said, "It is natural for politicians to contest elections for another party when they are denied a ticket. We will take in anyone who joins the party, accepting Congress party ideology."
Asked specifically if Sadananda Gowda would be given a Congress ticket he said, "I can't comment on that."
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
