BJP MLAs are in touch with me: MLA Raje Gowda
“I won’t quit Cong even if BJP offers me CM post”
Chikmagaluru, Jan 15: “No Congress MLAs will join BJP. But some BJP MLAs are in touch with me. Their names and the number will be disclosed in appropriate time”, said MLA and Malnad Area Development Board (MADB) president TD Rajegowda.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said that “earlier, BJP leaders have tried to lure us. But it is the Congress which gave me political positions. So, even if the BJP offered me the CM post, I will not quit the Congress. But the BJP has not contacted me till now”, he said.
The coalition government was safe and it would complete five years tenure. For the first time, total 84 MLAs in the Assembly were elected for the first time. None of them wanted another election now.
Even the first time BJP MLAs do not want another election. The BJP MLAs have discussed with them. But he would disclose the number of BJP MLAs who were in touch with him at an appropriate time, he said.
“People have elected us to serve them. It is our responsibility to serve them. For no reasons, the Congress MLAs will not destabilize the coalition government. If they destabilize the government, they have to face elections once again. No MLA should take such decisions”, he appealed.
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BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'failing' to prevent noise pollution caused by 'azaan'
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Members of the Opposition BJP on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent the alleged noise pollution caused by 'azaan', the Islamic call to prayer.
BJP MLC D S Arun raised the issue in the Legislative Council during the question hour, accusing the ruling Congress of "appeasement" by failing to take action against mosques that are violating the Supreme Court's directives.
Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to the question, said, as per the directives of the Supreme Court in sensitive zones, the noise level should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, and in residential areas, 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
In commercial areas, the noise should not exceed 65 decibels during the day, 55 at night, and in industrial areas, 75 during the day and at night 70 decibels, he said.
Pointing out that the Karnataka government had issued an order in 2022, assigning responsibility to a committee headed by a DySPs or ACPs for the effective implementation of the rules, the minister said when a complaint is received about noise pollution, the Pollution Control Board will inspect it and provide information about the decibel level to the police to take further action, including filing of criminal cases.
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"Not only during azaan, but also during bhajans held in temples and marriage events, among others, the violations happen. There is a need to spread awareness. The Supreme Court has ordered against bursting firecrackers, but it is being violated. Efforts will be made to implement the rules effectively," he said.
Several BJP MLAs, including Arun, Bharathi Shetty, among others, were not satisfied with the minister's reply. They took strong exception to it.
Arun noted that in the last three years, only 52 cases have been taken, and said there are clear violations by almost all mosques, but no action has been taken. "The decibels have in fact increased under this government. The government is giving protection to them."
Reacting to this, Khandre, calling it a "sensitive matter", said, "It is not right to politicise the issue. The law of this land is equal for everyone."
Hitting back, Arun asked, "Why is the matter sensitive? What is preventing you (the government) from implementing the Supreme Court directives?"
