Santosh Lad urges party discipline, criticises BJP on women’s quota and foreign policy

Dharwad: Karnataka minister Santosh Lad Tuesday addressed the ongoing discussions around Congress leaders visiting Delhi, stating that it is natural for party members to aspire for ministerial positions. "Everyone has ambitions. There is nothing wrong in asking for a ministerial post. However, no one should go beyond party protocol," he said.On Women's Reservation BillSpeaking on the Women's Reservation Bill, Lad said the Congress had already passed the bill in the Lok Sabha during its tenure and had attempted to push it in the Rajya Sabha as well. "We did not have the required majority in the Rajya Sabha at that time," he noted. He criticized BJP, stating that despite being in power for 12 years, it had not seriously addressed the issue. "They call themselves ‘Vishwaguru', but have not spoken meaningfully about women's reservation. There is confusion within their ranks, especially regarding delimitation," he said.While welcoming the bill in principle, Lad accused the BJP of distorting facts. "They are experts at twisting issues. When the country faces challenges, they tend to celebrate instead of responding responsibly. Discussions should be logical and constructive," he added.On Middle East conflictCommenting on the situation in the Middle East, Lad said policies under former US President Donald Trump had negatively impacted global stability. "India must take firm positions and engage with countries that serve our national interest," he said.He also remarked that the Prime Minister's visible alignment with Israel may not be appropriate. "Foreign policy should remain balanced and aligned with national priorities," he added.