Siddaramaiah declares retirement from election politics
Bagalkote, October 17: “In my political career, I have contested 13 elections and won in five. I have completed full five years as the chief minister. In future, I will not contest in any elections”, said former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking at a programme organized to felicitate newly elected town municipal council members at Guledgudda in Badami taluk on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah said that “I was elected as the MLA from Badami constituency. So, I am from North Karnataka. Already, I have spent six months and remaining four and half years would be spent here only. It is my duty to develop the constituency. I will not contest any elections in future. Now, I am 71 year old. I would not do politics in development issue. There is no need to contest elections to do development works”, he said giving clear message that he would continue in active politics.
On Tipu Jayanti, Siddaramaiah said that whoever may be the opponent, it was the duty of one to fight. Earlier, winning in wars was the Rajadharma. But in this democratic system, ensuring justice to everyone was the Rajadharma. Many people have not studied the history properly. So, they have been creating unnecessary confusions, he criticized BJP leaders indirectly.
Speaking to reporters before, Siddaramaiah retaliated in his own version to MP Shobha Karandlaje’s statement that he was a toothless snake. “MP Shobha Karandlaje does not have common sense. I am not a snake. I am a human being. I don’t know whether Shobha belongs to that category or not. Whether the snakes have tooth or not, we have to give milk. What is the relationship between milk and snake? Should we need tooth to drink milk? While speaking, Shobha should understand her position and behave. She should stop speaking lightly in future”, he said.
“BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa speaking lie is not a new thing. He does not know how to speak truth. He speaks lie. Unfortunately media people believe him. He does not have any bomb. Even if he has, it is fake bomb”, Siddaramaiah ridiculed.
On joint campaigning with HD Deve Gowda for by-elections to three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies, Siddaramaiah said that all details would be given in a joint press conference on October 20.
When asked about the entry of women into Sabarimala temple, Siddaramaiah said that people should respect the Supreme Court verdict.
Former ministers SR Patil, RB Thimmapur and HY Meti, former MLA BB Chimmanakatti and others were present.
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Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat
Washington (AP): Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration's war in Iran.
Kent said on social media Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
There was no immediate comment from the White House.
Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.
As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.
Before entering President Donald Trump's administration, Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state. He also served in the military, seeing 11 deployments as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA.
Democrats strongly opposed Kent's confirmation, pointing to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and attracted support from a variety of far-right figures.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to distance himself from a conspiracy theory that federal agents instigated the January 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, as well as false claims that Trump, a Republican, won the 2020 election over Democrat Joe Biden.
Democrats grilled Kent on his participation in a group chat on Signal that was used by Trump's national security team to discuss sensitive military plans.
Still, Republicans praised Kent's counterterrorism qualifications, pointing to his military and intelligence experience.
Sen. Tom Cotton, the GOP chair of the intelligence committee, said in a floor speech that Kent had "dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”
