Yeddyurappa asks Deve Gowda to keep Cong-JDS flock together
Bengaluru, Feb 5: Taking a dig at JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa Tuesday asked him to stop accusing the saffron party of trying to "destabilise" the Congress-JDS government and instead keep the coalition flock together.
He was reacting to Gowda's comments that attempts were being made by the BJP's state unit to "destabilise" the government.
This comes amid reports that disgruntled Congress lawmakers on the BJP's radar for poaching as part of its bid to topple the ruling coalition might keep away from the session beginning February 6.
The former Chief Minister said, "Deve Gowda is the former Prime Minister of this country. If Congress-JD(S) keep their legislators together, where is the question of we (BJP) toppling (the government)?"
"I would like to ask former Prime Minister Deve Gowda how is it fair to blame Yeddyurappa and BJP unnecessarily, unable to keep your legislators together," he added.
Gowda had on Monday said he did not think Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished to destabilise the ruling coalition in Karnataka, but that attempts were being made by the BJP's state unit under the leadership of Yeddyurappa.
He had also sought to know whether BJP Chief Amit Shah was guiding the state unit to do so.
To a question on BJP leaders expressing doubts about budget presentation on February 8, Yeddyurappa said, "I'm saying it.. no one should give such statements.
February 8, date has been decided for Kumaraswamy to present the budget, tomorrow there is Governor's address to the joint session."
Stating that the coalition government was in a 'coma', BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka had on Saturday expressed doubts whether Kumaraswamy, who also holds Finance portfolio would even present his government's second budget on February 8.
He had claimed that 20 to 25 disgruntled MLAs of the alliance were out of the reach of their leaders.
Yeddyurappa said he had discussions with 25 prominent MLAs regarding the strategy to be adopted in the assembly.
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3 Indian students among those injured in Australia’s Bondi Beach attack
Melbourne (PTI): Three Indian students were among 40 people injured in the terrorist attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia, according to a media report on Tuesday.
Two out of these three students are believed to be receiving treatment in the hospital, The Australia Today news portal reported.
The names of the Indian students injured during Sunday's attack have not been disclosed yet.
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The Indian students sustained injuries during the shooting, and their exact condition has not been formally confirmed yet, it said.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50, opened fire on a gathering during the Jewish festival Hanukkah by the Sea celebration.
At least 15 people were killed in the attack, including a 10-year-old child. Five of the injured remain in critical condition, while two injured police officers are in serious but stable condition, it added.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the investigation is expanding as new information emerges, including international travel by the alleged attackers and the discovery of extremist material, the report said.
