Many BJP and JD(S) legislators will join Congress soon, says CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Nov 6: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said many BJP and JD(S) legislators, leaders and workers will be joining the Congress in the state voluntarily in the coming days, and asserted that his party was not indulging in "Operation Hasta".
He also maintained that the Congress high command would decide whether there should be a change of chief minister in the state or not -- amid demands for it from some quarters -- after the government headed by Siddaramaiah completes two-and-a-half years.
Speaking to reporters here, he said many people from the BJP and JD(S), including sitting MLAs, ex-MLAs, leaders and workers, are coming over to the Congress -- without any kind of push from the ruling party.
"There is no question of doing 'Operation Hasta', we will induct whoever comes to the party. No 'Hasta', No Operation. Whoever comes to the party accepting our party ideology and leadership -- whether they are from BJP or JD(S) -- can we say no?," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
Operation 'Hasta' (the hand, Congress's symbol) -- like BJP's Operation Lotus -- refers to an alleged attempt by the Congress to engineer the defection of opposition legislators to further strengthen the party and ensure the government's stability.
Siddaramaiah spoke about a recent breakfast meeting with his cabinet colleagues and said that district in-charge ministers and MLAs have been asked to ensure the Congress candidate's victory in their respective regions.
Reacting to a purported comment by a BJP leader about a change of Chief Minister in the state, either before or after the Parliament polls, Siddaramaiah asked, "Why is he commenting on our party matter? We have a high command to decide. Who is he to say?"
Siddaramaiah's statement last week that he would remain Chief Minister for a full five-year term did not go down well with some in the Congress circles, with several party legislators and ministers commenting about it.
However, subsequently blaming the media for misquoting him, Siddaramaiah clarified that he would adhere to whatever decision the high command takes.
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3 Indians injured after fire breaks out in UAE's Fujairah due to drone attack
Dubai (PTI): Three Indian nationals were injured on Monday after a fire broke out on the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ) in the UAE following a drone strike originating from Iran, according to local media reports.
The relevant authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah confirmed that a fire has broken out in the FOIZ, resulting from a drone attack coming from Iran, the state-run WAM news agency reported.
Fujairah Civil Defence teams immediately responded to the incident and are continuing efforts to bring the fire under control, it added.
Three Indian nationals sustained moderate injuries after the fire broke out on the FOIZ, the Khaleej Times reported, quoting authorities in Fujairah.
The injured were taken to the hospital for treatment, it added.
In a post on X, the UAE's Ministry of Defence said that Iran launched four missiles toward various areas across the country. "Three were successfully engaged over the country's territorial waters, while one fell into the sea," it said.
The ministry urged the public to comply with all public safety procedures when warning messages are issued to the public.
Authorities have urged the public not to circulate rumours and to rely only on official sources for information, Gulf News reported.
