The Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of leveraging the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir as “political fodder” to garner votes and listed similar multiple strikes carried out over last two decades to assert that such action was not the first of its kind though they were not “politicised” earlier.

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala’s comments came a day after the footage of Indian Army’s surgical strikes in September 2016 was released.

Talking to reporters here, Surjewala said BJP President Amit Shah had “dishonored” the 70-year-long history of bravery and sacrifice of the armed forces by making a “disgraceful statement” on October 7, 2016 that “Indian Army had crossed the LoC for the first time in 68 years”.

Surjewala said that conducting strategic surgical strikes “with utmost precision and effective penetration” at different times in last two decades has been characteristic of the grit and determination of the Indian Armed Forces.

He listed multiple “surgical strikes” prior to those conducted in September 2016 after the Narendra Modi government assumed office.

“We are proud that our forces have successfully conducted multiple surgical strikes over last two decades, particularly post the year 2000 — January 21, 2000 (Nadala Enclave, across the Neelam River); September 18, 2003 (Baroh Sector, Poonch); June 19, 2008 (Bhattal Sector, Poonch); August 30 to September 1, 2011 (Sharda Sector, across Neelam River Valley in Kel); January 6, 2013 (Sawan Patra checkpost); July 27 to 28, 2013 ( Nazapir Sector); August 6, 2013 (Neelam Valley); January 14, 2014; September 28 to 29, 2016.”

JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda today rejected former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah’s suggestion that the new state government should present a supplementary budget, instead of a fresh budget, by citing a parliamentary precedence involving him as the prime minister.

“I do not want to criticise Siddaramaiah’s suggestion. He has presented several budgets before, but the Chief Minister (H D Kumaraswamy) is not doing anything new. There is a parliamentary precedence. It is appropriate for a new government to present a budget than a supplementary,” he told PTI in an interview here.

Deve Gowda said the then Union finance minister P Chidambaram had presented the budget on July 22, 1996, when he was the prime minister during the United Front rule.

“I was heading the United Front government as prime minister and Chidambaram was the finance minister as the Congress had given outside support. The then coalition government had presented a full-fledged budget and it was called a ‘dream budget’. Did the Congress’s shine vanish by presenting a new budget?” he asked.

Moreover, the United Front government had not discontinued any of the schemes launched by the Congress because of compulsions of a coalition government, Deve Gowda said.

“Since the Congress had given outside support to my government, I had to accommodate their schemes in the budget. I did it due to coalition compulsions,” he said.

Even Kumaraswamy had been assuring that he would not discontinue any of the schemes and programmes of the previous Congress government in the state as he did not want any trouble in the functioning of the coalition government, Deve Gowda said.

Siddaramaiah, in stark contrast, had been pitching for a supplementary budget, instead of a new budget, as suggested by Kumaraswamy, he added.

Disagreeing with Siddaramaiah, Deve Gowda further said a fresh budget was needed for the new government to send a new message to the people of the state. He added that both the Congress and the JD(S) had, before the state Assembly polls, promised several new schemes and hence, a supplementary budget would not be able to incorporate them all.

Deve Gowda, however, pinned hopes on the Congress high-command and the party’s central leadership, including Karnataka affairs in-charge K C Venugopal, for resolving issues cropping up in a coalition set-up.

The budget session of the state Assembly is scheduled to commence on July 5.

On B S Yeddyurappa’s secret meeting with BJP president Amit Shah in Ahmedabad, the former prime minister said he did not want to assume what transpired between the two, but added that as per reports, they were not in a mood to destabilise the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka.

Asked if he was satisfied with the coalition government, Deve Gowda said, “All these difficulties crop up in the initial stages and later subside. In the present circumstances, both the parties must realise that to run a smooth government, communal forces would have to be kept at bay.”

Asked about giving a cabinet berth to a Muslim legislator, the JD(S) supremo said it was the prerogative of the chief minister, who would have to look at giving representation to those communities that had been “unfortunate”.

However, there were coalition compulsions the chief minister had to fight with, he said, adding, “Let us wait and watch what does the chief minister do.”

PTI

Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday said the party would “silently” watch the goings-on in the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition without trying to take any advantage of the “confusing” situation and instead focus on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to reporters after his sudden trip to Ahmedabad to meet BJP president Amit Shah set off speculation that the party might fish in the trouble waters, he said it would play the role of a responsible opposition and focus on winning maximum seats in the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

“… There is a confusing situation… Siddaramaiah (CLP leader) makes some statement and Kumaraswamy (chief minister) makes a different statement. In this confusing situation we don’t want to intervene,” he said. “I have requested all our BJP leaders that in such a situation we should silently watch the political developments, without speaking much,” he added.

Yeddyurappa’s trip had fuelled speculation that several disgruntled Congress MLAs were in touch with him and ready to switch over to the BJP, which might again try its hand to form a government in the state. Clarifying on his visit, the BJP leader said he had gone to invite Shah for the party state executive meeting on June 29.

Yeddyurappa said the party did not have anything to do with the political uncertainty and added that media speculation (about BJP) have no basis. “They (Congress-JD(S)) are fighting against each other, it is left to them,” he said.

Differences have emerged between the Congress and the JD(S) on a host of issues, including presentation of a full-fledged budget. Former chief minister and chairman of the Congress-JD(S) coordination committee Siddaramaiah had openly suggested that there was no need for a fresh budget and insisted that a supplementary budget would do.

On Sunday, a video clip purportedly showing Siddaramaiah expressing displeasure over the presentation of a fresh budget to some Congress MLAs went viral. Kumaraswamy on Monday had sharply reacted to this and said an attempt was being made to create confusion about the presentation of the full-fledged budget.

The chief minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, is scheduled to present the first budget of the coalition on July 5. Noting that political developments in the state would be discussed at the June 29 state executive, Yeddyurappa said his party would work as a responsible opposition.

He also hit out at the government for not intimating MLAs until now about the assembly session from July 2. Yeddyurappa said the June 29 party meeting would discuss preparations for the Lok Sabha polls. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah’s expectation is that we win the maximum number of seats from Karnataka. So we will begin our work on this. We will discuss about it,” he said.

A statement by former chief minister Siddaramaiah about the present coalition government of Congress and JD(S) has come as a worry to chief minister H D Kumaraswamy who is already facing issues in running the present government.

In a video that has gone viral, Siddaramaiah who is undergoing two-week treatment at SDM Yoga and Nature Cure Hospital in Shantivana in Ujire near Dharmasthala is seen discussing the Karnataka politics and upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In the video, Siddaramaiah, while answering to a person who is in conversation, says that the validity of the present coalition government is till Lok Sabha elections.

When the person says that it is difficult for the coalition government to last for 5 years, Siddaramaiah also agrees and says, “Yes it is difficult. Let us wait and watch till Lok Sabha elections. If opposition parties join hands Modi will not come back to power.”

In the video, the person raises several doubts about the fate of present coalition government. Siddaramaiah, however, is seen only answering to what the person in conversation asks. However, he did not say anything directly about the present coalition government and its future.

Meanwhile, Dr. G Parameshwara while reacting to the statement said that the present government will complete five years. “As a KPCC chief, I can say that we will complete five years. We cannot expect what will happen in the future,”

Meanwhile, MLC Ivan D’Souza too reacting to the controversy said that Siddaramaiah was only answering to the person who was in conversation with. “The coalition government will complete five years,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday said the 1975-77 Emergency was a “dark period” that the nation could never forget and called for making democracy stronger by “writing, debating, deliberating, and questioning” its vital aspects and pledged his full commitment to protecting the Indian Constitution and Democracy.

Simultaneously, he took the opportunity attack the Congress Party and its leaders – taking care not to name any members of the Gandhi-Nehru family – saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not observing a ‘Black Day’ merely to criticise the Congress, but to make the modern youth aware of what happened during Emergency.

“India remembers its as a dark period when every institution was subverted and an atmosphere of fear was created. Not only people but also ideas and artistic freedom were held hostage to power politics. The youth have no idea what happened then and they cannot imagine how living without freedom can be,” Modi said.

Interestingly, Modi’s comments came in Mumbai where the Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885, 132 years ago by a group of nationalists to launch the country’s freedom struggle against the British Empire.

It also came a day after union minister Arun Jaitley called the then Prime Minister, the late Indira Gandhi as ‘Hitler’ – and in Mumbai, where BJP ally and Shiv Sena’s ex-Mayor Snehal Ambekar had compared Modi with the German dictator, leading to a massive political furore exactly three years ago.

Addressing a meeting at the Birla Matoshri Autitorium, Modi hailed the spirit of those citizens who firmly opposed the Emergency that came into force on June 25, 1975, leading to suspension of the fundamental rights.

“Whenever the Congress – and especially this one family – apprehends losing power, they start shouting and raise the bogey that the country and democracy are in danger and there is an atmosophere of fear, and they alone can save it,” Modi said.

He accused the (Gandhi) family of breaking the INC – built by the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders – “in their lust for power”, and how it subverted all democratic institutions including the Constitution, the parliament, the elections, the judiciary and the media, “for the benefit of one family”.

Modi said they did everything but cleverly remained within the limits of the Constitution, but years later the family never imagined that the courts would frame corruption charges against them and they would be enlarged on bail.

“So, now they tried to scare the highest echelons of the judiciary by bringing in an impeachment motion during Emergency, judges were abruptly transferreda and their arrogant mentality remains unchanged even today,” Modi said.

Besides, canards were spread against the RSS and Jan Sangh (which later became the BJP), that they are anti-Muslims and anti-Dalit and they would butcher them, all for the lust for power of the family.

“I salute the courage of all those great women and men who steadfastly resisted the Emergency, which was imposed 43 years ago. Their struggles ensured people power prevailed over authoritarianism and the stifling of civil liberties. Media persons like the late Ramnath Goenka and the late C.R. Irani, and senior journalist Kuldip Nayar braved all odds and censorship to continue fighting for democracy, Modi said.

“In the past all parties had respected the Election Commission of India (ECI), baring one party, which has now been reduced from 400 to 44 (seats in Lok Sabha). So now they target the ECI, they attack the Electronic Voting Machinesa” Modi pointed out.

He said those who “crushed the Constitution and imprisoned Democracy cannot be trusted, but they are now alleging that “Modi will destroy the Constitution,” but assured that “we are different.

“Despite ruling for 70 years, you never celebrated the Constitutiona We started it in Parliament and right upto the school levels. We want to strengthen it even more,” the PM said.

“Let us always work to make our democratic ethos stronger. Writing, debating, deliberating, questioning are vital aspects of our democracy which we are proud of. No force can ever trample the basic tenets of our Constitution. We must remain aever vigilant’ in coming times,” he urged.

The Emergency lasted till March 21, 1977. The Congress led by Indira Gandhi then was voted out of power in the elections that were held soon after.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai Congress President Ashish Shelar also addressed the gathering ‘1975 – Apaatkaal Loktantra par Aaghat’ where state BJP President Raosaheb Patil-Danve was also present.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi citing a report which said that India is the most dangerous country for a woman because of risks of rape and violence.

Gandhi said that while Modi frequently posts yoga videos, such reports were a shame for the country.

“While our PM tiptoes around his garden making yoga videos, India leads Afghanistan, Syria and Saudi Arabia in rape and violence against women. What a shame for our country!” Gandhi tweeted, tagging a report based on a survey by Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The report, citing the survey of 550 experts on women’s issues, said India was the most dangerous country in the world for women because of the high risk of sexual violence and human trafficking for domestic work, forced labour, forced marriage and sexual slavery.

The report further said India was also the most dangerous country in the world for cultural traditions that impact women for which the survey cited acid attacks, female genital mutilation, child marriage and physical abuse.

The cold war between the former chief minister and chairman of Congress-JD(S) coordination committee, Siddaramaiah, and current chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy appears to be reaching a flash point, with both leaders not inclined to climb down from their respective stands.

In an apparent retort to Siddaramaiah, the chief minister said that he is not aware whether he would present the budget or not. “I do not speak with the harsh voice and arrogance like others. I am not indebted to anyone in reaching this position. I am not concerned about the length of a term I will be in power, but about the commitment with which I work,” he stated. He said he does not get any commission out of waiver of farm loans, but added that he is aware who will collect commission out of this measure.

He was speaking at a meeting of cooperative bank presidents, managing directors and directors of cooperative banks over waiver of farmers loans organized on Monday at Vidhana Soudha here.

Kumaraswamy feels that it is a custom for any new government to come out with new budget highlighting implementation of the party manifesto. It provides an opportunity to tell the people about priorities and commitments of the government. The supplementary budget might not provide for major steps like waiver of farm loans. If a budget is not presented now, the government may be forced to implement the programmes of the previous government, he feels.

On the other hand, Siddaramaiah is of the opinion that Congress being a partner in the current government, there is no need for a new budget. He feels that new budget is needed only if a new government is formed by a new party. He is apprehensive that popular schemes announced by him in his budget may be neglected when preparing the new budget.

Another fear is that JD(S) might give undue importance to its own manifesto in the new budget. He also is apprehensive of the chance of sacrificing credit which otherwise would have been earned by his party. Another fear is that the new chief minister, in an enthusiasm to get popularity, may lose control over financial discipline in which case Congress might face flak. He also feels that it would serve interests of his party if the current budget is continued till Lok Sabha election, as otherwise, JD(S) might snatch the initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said a “New India” was rising and that the Asian continent was at the center of global economic activity.

Addressing the third annual Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) meeting, Modi said emerging India was committed to an inclusive and sustainable growth in the region.

“The Indian story of economic resurgence closely mirrors that of many other parts of Asia. The continent finds itself at the center of global economic activity and has become the growth engine of the world. In fact, we are now living through what many terms as the ‘Asian Century’.

“A ‘New India’ is rising. It is an India that stands on the pillars of economic opportunity for all, knowledge economy, holistic development and futuristic, resilient and digital infrastructure,” he said.

The Prime Minister called India one of the most investor-friendly countries with political stability and a regulatory framework that supports investment.