Mallikarjun Kharge asks PM Modi to stop 'self praise', recuse himself from election campaign
Bengaluru, Jun 1 (PTI): Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public speeches after Operation Sindoor, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged him to "focus on the enemy instead of self-boasting" and to recuse himself from election campaign.
"I don't like reacting to all his (Modi's) statements," Kharge said while addressing reporters in Bengaluru. "But my only request to him is that those in power should sometimes keep their mouth shut."
Kharge questioned the Prime Minister's recent public statements and political activities, suggesting that Modi should temporarily step back from electoral campaigning. "Modi should recuse himself from elections and focus on the country. He should understand whatever has happened in the country and speak," he remarked.
"I am saying without any political differences that he (Modi) should focus on the enemy instead of self-boasting that no one except for him would have done it. Our full support is with the Armed Forces," he said.
Referring to ongoing developments linked to Operation Sindoor, Kharge noted that Congress delegations had travelled abroad for consultations. "Let them come back. Till they return, it is not proper to be touring around and giving speeches," he said.
The opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha reiterated the Congress party's unwavering support for the Indian Armed Forces.
The Congress chief also took a swipe at the Prime Minister's earlier assertion that the military had been given a free hand. "When Modi has said he has given full power to the armed forces, then why is he claiming that he did it? Self-boasting is not good."
Emphasising the need for political restraint during sensitive times, Kharge said, "We will not say anything as the situation is not normal."
He cited the example of restraint shown in Pakistan's parliament during previous India-Pakistan tensions, stating, "When the clashes broke out between India and Pakistan, a discussion started in Pakistan's parliament not to speak anything against the country."
"So long as there is an army, we all are safe. That's why we support the armed forces," he said.
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Karnataka govt to strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy, after HC directive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.
The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to "strictly and faithfully" implement the menstrual leave policy, pending formal enactment of the proposed legislation.
"I welcome the directive issued by the Karnataka High Court in support of our state government's ambitious menstrual leave policy," Lad said.
The state government has taken firm steps to implement the menstrual leave policy comprehensively, and as a model to the country, he said in a post on 'X' on Thursday.
"In line with the court's opinion that menstrual leave is a matter of women's dignity, justice, and humane recognition of their lived realities, we will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy--equivalent to one day per month, or 12 days per year--across all sectors at the earliest," he added.
The court had said that in the interregnum, it shall be incumbent upon the state to ensure effective operationalisation of the policy through the issuance of suitable guidelines, circulars, and administrative instructions, as may be necessary to secure its uniform, consistent, and rigorous implementation across all sectors.
The court issued the directive while hearing on a petition filed by 41-year-old Chandravva Hanumant Gokavi, who works in a hotel in Mudalgi of Gokak taluk in Belagavi district, before the Dharwad bench, seeking implementation of the November 20, 2025, order of the government providing one-day menstrual leave for all working women.
