Academician Gururaj Karajagi, Ravishankar not to address new MLAs of Karnataka during workshop
Bengaluru: The names of academician Dr. Gururaj Karajagi and head of the Art of Living Foundation Ravishankar have been dropped from the list of invitees to address first-time legislators of Karnataka during the three-day workshop to be held, starting Monday.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader had said recently that several well-known people are invited to address and motivate the new MLAs. He had also said that former CMs BS Yediyurappa and HD Kumaraswamy from the political field as well as achievers from various fields, including Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Joint Secretary (Karnataka) Mohammed Kunhi, academician Karajagi and Ravishankar were among the dignitaries who would speak at the workshop.
Several writers, social activists and Congress leaders too from across Karnataka had objected to the addition of the names of ‘controversial people’, especially Ravishankar and Karajagi, to the list of invitees. They had also demanded that their names be withdrawn from the list of invitees. Many had said, “Classes on the provisions of the Constitution of India should be held for the MLAs, instead of getting controversial people to speak to them.”
While Khader had said that people should have waited till the completion of the event to give their critical reviews, instead of making judgemental statements prior to the workshop, the official document on the workshop confirms that the names of Karajagi and Ravishankar have been dropped from the list of speakers.
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Integrity of electoral process severely compromised, Cong to soon launch movement: CWC
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress Working Committee met here on Friday and adopted a resolution alleging the integrity of the entire electoral process was being severely compromised against which the party would soon launch a movement.
In the resolution of the top body of the Congress, the party said free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that was being called into "serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission".
The CWC, which met amid the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, said the session has been a washout so far because of the Narendra Modi government's "stubborn refusal" to have an immediate discussion on three pressing national issues -- "the recent revelations regarding corruption by a business group, and the violence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal".
Asked why the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution does not name the business group, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The answer is the Adani group".
"The CWC believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission.
"Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take these up these public concerns as a national movement," the resolution stated.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ramesh and Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, party general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said the party discussed the political situation in the country for four-and-half hours and adopted the resolution.
He said the CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into electoral performance and organisational matters.
About the Assembly polls results in Maharashtra, Venugopal said the electoral outcome in the state was "beyond normal understanding and it appears to be a clear case of targeted manipulation".
