Centre using I-T dept to threaten us, alleges AP CM
Amaravati (AP), Oct 15: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Monday accused the Centre of using Income Tax raids to threaten the state for demanding its rights and said it was not right to adopt a 'vengeful' attitude.
In his weekly teleconference with top bureaucrats and public representatives on "Neeru-Pragati" (water and progress) where he shared his views on various issues, he also turned philosophical, saying only dharma, justice and good work would remain permanent.
His charge against the Centre comes days after the Income Tax department conducted searches at the premises of ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Rajya Sabha member CM Ramesh in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on October 12.
We are able to handle the Nature, but we are unable to handle politics. On one hand, the state is faced with problems caused by the bifurcation and on the other hand, natural calamities surrounded us. We have been overcoming them with a determination, he said referring to the devastation caused by severe cyclone Titli last week.
In a veiled attack on the Congress and BJP, he said while one national party (Congress) meted out 'injustice' to the state then (through bifurcation to create Telangana), another national party (BJP) was rendering injustice now through non-cooperation, the Chief Minister said.
"They (the Centre) are attacking us when we are demanding our rights. They are threatening us by conducting Income Tax raids. This is not democratic spirit," Naidu, who quit the NDA over the special category status demand, charged.
One should compete in development and resolving peoples problems but it was not right to adopt a vengeful attitude, he said.
Ultimately, only dharma, justice and the good work (we do) will remain permanent, the chief minister said.
Noting that the state could make effective use of latest technology in assessing the exact landfall of the severe cyclone Titli, the Chief Minister said it helped in minimising the loss of lives.
He also lectured officials on the need to build leadership qualities and the capability to overcome crises.
People should feel that officials were here to render social service and not merely to collect salaries, the Chief Minister told the officials.
He directed them to work tirelessly till normalcy was fully restored in the cyclone-hit areas.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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