Coastal Karnataka needs able leadership now
The JD(S) and Congress coalition government has come into existence. H D Kumaraswamy, a very down to earth person and an excellent politician has taken oath to the office of CM. During his last term as Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy had introduced the concept of ‘village stay’ and had tried his best to eliminate the distance between the common person and the rulers. Though it was criticized by some, Kumaraswamy became a familiar face in rural Karnataka. It was too early in 2008, and he didn’t have the experience to build on that and manage his image thereafter. The coalition with BJP had complicated the matters for him. Yet, he had tried to deliver his best. This time around, his coalition is with a secular party – Congress – which has extended its support to him being the CM.
He is experienced too, this time around and has firm support and guidance of his father senior politician former Prime Minister Devegowda. Hence, the expectations from his government are high this time. Farmers’ distress and communal clashes are the most important challenges that the coalition government would be facing this term.
BJP had faced a humiliating defeat in 2013 assembly elections in Coastal Karnataka. BJP leaders had brought it upon themselves. But the lotus has bloomed again in undivided coastal Karnataka and BJP has won the seats. The party never sought elections in the name of development or progress. It went to the voters with ‘hindutva’ card. Sangh Parivar did all it can, to start communal clashes and seek votes in coastal Karnataka. Naturally BJP reaped the benefit of that in elections. Though the Sangh parivar tried to create similar clashes in other parts of the state, and the government couldn’t contain these efforts. As a result, Congress paid a heavy price in the elections.
Now that the BJP is deeply disappointed at not having been able to form the government, it will do everything it can, to destabilize the current government. It may spread anarchy starting from coastal Karnataka in order to create troubles for the government. Now that the Sangh Parivar is well established through politics too in this area, things would get easier too. Without any standing in the past, Sangh Parivar could wield the power. Now with powerful positions to its men, things become even easier than before.
Hence, it is imperative that the government elects a strong statesman as district incharge for coastal Karnataka. Except for Mangalore constituency, there is not a single Cong JD(S) MLA in the area. The government should not select someone weak for district incharge minister coming under some pressure or as a return to some favours. The inexperienced would only indirectly hand over the area to those experienced miscreants who can play their games taking advantage of the situation.
CM Kumaraswamy must identify a strong experienced leader who can take care of this area really well, with their political acumen and enable people to live here with peace. Congress has many such leaders, they must be put to service. This step is highly necessary in order to run the government without any troubles brewing here for the next five years.
The undivided coastal Karnataka, especially Mangalore, is the core of development and business. People would want to invest in Mangalore because the area holds a large potential. All the schemes and plans that were started last time, are waiting to get to the next level and works are in progress. Thousands of crores are being invested here. Miscreants can raze all this to dust with their evil plans. An able minister can steer the area towards development with his focus. The Ettina Hole project is mired in controversy and the unrest among people is palpable. Development and peace are what coastal area needs now and to enable this, an able leader is required in this area. This area needs to be calm to enable development works to go further. Our CM needs to understand this requirement and appoint a good able leader for this area.
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LoP Ashoka targets CM govt over corruption, says being 'shameless' in public life not forgivable
Bengaluru (PTI): Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka on corruption, BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday said, being foolish was forgivable, but being "shameless" in public life was not.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly claimed that in just 30 months of its tenure, the Congress administration has broken every previous record on corruption-related controversies.
He was responding to Siddaramaiah's post on 'X' on Thursday hitting back at the BJP, stating that Upa Lokayukta Justice Veerappa's claims of "63 per cent corruption" were based on his report in November 2019, when BJP's B S Yediyurappa was the CM.
"But Ashoka, without understanding the Upa Lokayukta's statement properly, has ended up tying the BJP's own bells of sins onto our heads and has effectively shot himself in the foot," the CM had said, as he accused Ashoka of foolishness for trying to twist Veerappa's statement to target the current government.
Responding, Ashoka said, "it is one thing to be called foolish in politics, that can be forgiven."
"But in public life, especially in the Chief Minister's chair, one must never become shameless," Ashoka posted on 'X' on Friday addressing Siddaramaiah.
Noting that the CM himself had admitted on the floor of the Assembly that a Rs 87 crore scam took place in the Valmiki Development Corporation, he said that when a CM acknowledges such a massive irregularity inside the floor of the House, the natural expectation is immediate action and accountability.
"But instead of taking responsibility, you continue in office as if nothing has happened. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
Pointing out that the CM's Economic Advisor and senior Congress MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy had publicly stated that under Congress rule, Karnataka has become No.1 in corruption, Ashoka said, "Yet, you still cling to the Chief Minister's chair without a moment of introspection. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness."
Senior Congress MLA C R Patil had exposed the "money for House" racket in the Housing Department and even warned that the government would collapse if the details he has were made public, Ashoka said.
"Despite such serious allegations from within your own party (Congress), you neither initiated an inquiry nor acted against the concerned minister. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," Ashoka asked the CM.
Highlighting the "40 percent commission" allegation Congress made against the previous BJP government, the opposition leader said, the commission that the Siddaramaiah government appointed concluded that the accusation was baseless.
"After your own panel demolished your own claim, what moral right do you have to continue repeating that allegation. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
For the last two and a half years, Karnataka has been 'drowning' in corruption, scandals, irregularities and allegations across departments. Ashoka said, "If I begin listing every case that emerged under your government, even 24 hours would not be enough."
"And the most tragic aspect of your administration is this: the unbearable pressure, corruption demands and administrative harassment under your government pushed several officers and contractors into extreme distress - including the suicide of Chandrasekharan which exposed the Valmiki Development Corporation scam - a sign of how deeply broken the system has become under your watch," he said.
Instead of fixing this hopeless environment, the government has tried to bury every complaint and silence every voice, he charged.
"Being foolish is forgivable, but being shameless in public life is definitely not."
"When your own ministers admit scams, when your own advisors certify Karnataka as No.1 in corruption, and when your own MLAs expose rackets inside your departments - clinging to power without accountability is not leadership. It is shamelessness in its purest form." PTI KSU
Earlier on Thursday Ashoka had demanded that the corruption case and allegations in the state against the Congress government be handed over to a CBI investigation, citing a reported statement by Upalokaykta Justice Veerappa alleging "63 per cent corruption", following which Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP leader.
