Allegations of interfering in administration politically motivated: B Y Vijayendra
Bengaluru, May 28: Under repeated attacks from some party leaders for allegedly interfering in administration, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's son and state BJP vice-president B Y Vijayendra on Friday termed such allegations against him as politically motivated.
He claimed no ministers had accused him of interference.
"Yediyurappa because of his 30-40 years political struggle and due to the efforts of lakhs of party workers has become Chief Minister. He has served the state and its people as MLA, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister. He knows how to run the administration," Vijayendra said.
Speaking to reporters here, he termed such statements as politically motivated, and said, "no Ministers have accused me of interference. As the party state vice president I'm aware of my responsibilities and doing my service to the state in my own way...I'm functioning as the BJP vice president within my work limits," he said.
Asked as to why he is repeatedly being accused of interference, Vijayendra sarcastically said, "...many people have a lot of love towards me and when that love grows, they make such statements."
The Chief Minister's son was responding to a question on a veiled attack against him by Tourism Minister C P Yogeeshwara.
In what is widely seen as a reference to Vijayendra, Yogeeshwara on Thursday had said, "I am a Minister. I wont accept my son exercising my powers. In the same way, someone else exerting power in my jurisdiction or running the show in my name is not sitting well with me personally."
Earlier too, several BJP leaders, especially senior MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, have openly accused Vijayendra of interfering in the administration.
It is also seen as one of the main reasons for growing disgruntlement against Yediyurappa's leadership within the party.
Yogeeshwara, whose visit to New Delhi triggered the latest round of speculations about attempts to replace the Chief Minister, while clarifying that his visit had nothing to do with leadership change in the state, had dropped broad hints on his disgruntlement.
This government does not look like a "pure BJP government" and was emerging as a three-party government (including Congress and JDS) by indulging in "adjustment politics," he had alleged.
Several of Yogeeshwara's cabinet colleagues have hit out at him for his statement.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka said he along with Yediyurappa had worked for building the party for 40 years and that he will continue to be with him.
"He (Yogeeshwara) is speaking with the experience (of party hopping)....this is BJP government under Yediyurappa and not (three party government)," the minister said,.
Rural Development Minister K S Eshwarappa too hit out at Yogeeshwara for making public statements after meeting the high command. He asked him to resign and come out if he is unhappy and can't wait for the central leadership's response.
"When everyone on working to control COVID, don't try to create confusion in the BJP regarding leadership change," he added.
BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said an explanation will be sought from Yogeeshwara about his open expression of disgruntlement.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
