Minister Revanna rejects charge he interfered in other departments
Bengaluru, Jul 17: Karnataka Public Works Minister and H D Revanna, brother of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Wednesday rejected allegations by some of the rebel Congress MLAs that he functioned as a "Super CM" and interfered in other departments.
Revanna, son of former prime minister and JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda, said he would comment on the allegations, including that his style of functioning was responsible for the resignation of MLAs, once the present crisis facing the Congress-JDS coalition government was over.
A total of 16 MLAs of Congress and JDS have resigned from the assembly while two independent legislators withdrawn their support to the 14-month old ministry, plunging it into a crisis with Kumaraswamy to seek a trust vote Thursday.
Of the many reasons cited by them, the rebel MLAs have alleged that Revanna was interfering in other departments (headed by Congress representatives).
"You people started calling me as super CM. After listening to it I said let it be so," he told reporters here.
He further said:"I never interfered in any government department... I will not react to the charges that Revanna is responsible for them to quit. I only say that I never laid hands on the transfers in departments other than mine (PWD)."
Rejecting charges that he sought contracts from the city corporation, Revanna said: "I will retire from politics if the BBMP (civic body) commissioner or an engineer says so."
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
