Karnataka Congress government's future is dependent on LS poll results: H D Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, May 25: Raising doubts about the longevity of the Siddaramaiah-led new Congress government in Karnataka, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said its future is dependent on the results of the 2024 Parliament elections.
The former Chief Minister said his statement is only based on his analysis of political situation in the state and should not be misinterpreted as though he was up to something by joining hands with someone.
"I don't know whether the (next Assembly) election will happen after five years, what all may happen I don't know, let's see. The future of this government is dependent on the results of the upcoming Parliament elections, I know it. I'm not speaking by hiding things, nor am I making any astrological predictions," Kumaraswamy said.
Addressing a party meeting here, he said looking at the developments here, in his opinion anything may happen in the state's politics.
"I'm only doing the state's (political) analysis, that's all. I'm not making any astrological predictions, and let the media friends don't have any doubts that as though I'm planning to do something by joining hands with someone. It's my hunch, because we don't know what all developments may happen," he added.
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Kumaraswamy was addressing JD(S) leaders and workers' at an "introspection meeting" organised by the party, following the Assembly polls results, in which the party has won just 19 seats.
Telling party workers that he will stand with them in their fight, Kumaraswamy said whoever works with firm determination to take the party forward will be given an opportunity.
He said he wants to wipe out the "black spot" of "Deve Gowda's family party" image associated with the JD(S).
The JD(S) leader also called on the party workers to start preparing for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and Zilla and Taluk Panchayat polls.
He said if Congress fails to implement the poll guarantees or if they put conditions to implement the guarantees, it will become a major ammunition for the JD(S) in the days ahead.
Later speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said he and his party will keep watch on the government's implementation of its five poll guarantees, as based on it, the Congress got votes and came to power.
"My party's existence has taken a hit in this election, because of these guarantees, so naturally I will hold on to these guarantees....Implement the guarantees now in toto and don't try to cheat the people by adding conditions to it. I will do my politics on this subject now," he added.
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Pakistan escalating again, Indian response will continue: Foreign Secretary Misri
New Delhi — Indian defence forces successfully thwarted an attempt by Pakistan to target several military locations in Northern and Western India, a senior army officer confirmed during a special press briefing on Thursday.
Colonel Sofiya Quraishi, addressing the media on developments related to Operation Sindoor, said Pakistan had launched a coordinated drone and missile attack on the night of May 7 and 8, aiming at multiple Indian cities including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.
“These attempts were neutralised by our Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid and Air Defence systems,” she stated. “Debris recovered from different sites confirms the Pakistani attacks.”
Col Quraishi noted that India's earlier military response was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” and that no Pakistani military establishments were targeted at that time. However, she said, India had warned that any attack on its military installations would invite an appropriate response.
“Today morning, Indian Armed Forces responded by targeting Pakistan’s Air Defence Radars and systems at multiple locations. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system in Lahore has been neutralised,” she added.
In the same briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh highlighted the increased intensity of unprovoked cross-border shelling by Pakistan.
“Pakistan has been using mortars and heavy artillery to target Indian positions along the Line of Control in sectors such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri,” she said. “So far, 16 innocent civilians, including three women and five children, have lost their lives due to this shelling.”
She said India was compelled to respond in order to halt the artillery fire from across the border. “Our Armed Forces remain committed to non-escalation, provided this is respected by the Pakistani military,” Wing Commander Singh said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also addressed the media, pointing to Pakistan’s contradictory stand on international platforms. He said that despite the terror group The Resistance Front (TRF) publicly claiming responsibility for the Pahalgam attack twice, Pakistan denied their involvement during discussions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“Col Quraishi and Wing Commander Singh made it clear that India’s military actions are measured and focused only on terrorist infrastructure. Our intention is not to escalate tensions. We have not targeted any Pakistani military sites,” Misri said.
He further added, “Any further action by Pakistan, some of which we are seeing today, is nothing but escalation by Pakistan once again, and will be responded to and is being responded to appropriately.”
