BJP won’t succeed in destabilizing govt.: Siddaramaiah
‘No MLAs will resign’
Bengaluru, September 18: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah said that though the BJP leaders have been making brazen attempts to destabilize the coalition government in the state, their day dream of forming their own government would not come true.
Speaking to reporters at the Vidhana Soudha here on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said that earlier also, the BJP had formed the government through ‘Operation Lotus’ means. Now, the shameless people have been doing the same thing. Neither the Congress-JDS coalition government nor the Congress has any differences. There was no confusion or dissatisfaction. It was just a media creation which is baseless and rumours, he said.
Parameshwar Naik, MB Patil, Bhima Naik, BC Patil and others were the aspirants of minister posts and they have placed their demands. But no one has said about leaving the party, he clarified.
Safe for five years
The Congress-JDS coalition government in the state would complete five years term. There was no doubt in it. As the MLAs have supported the government, it would not require anybody’s protection. All MLAs from the Congress were disciplined leaders and they were committed to the party stand. There were no problems in the party. When this was the situation, where was the question of solving the problem? He discussed with Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and he would not leave the party, he said.
What’s wrong in holding meeting?
"What is wrong in conducting the meetings and using private cars by the ministers? Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy is also using his private car. There is no need to read much into the meetings of the CM", Ministers and MLAs, he said.
Cabinet expansion after Council poll
Election to the three positions of the Legislative Council was announced on October 3. So, the Cabinet expansion would be taken up after the Council poll. Six places were filled and the party high command would take a decision regarding this issue, he said.
They would go to New Delhi to discuss the selection of candidates for the Council election. Election would be held for three positions to be elected from the Assembly and remaining three, positions would be filled through nomination, he said.
Minister R.V Deshpande, Former ministers R.B Thimmapur, M.B Patil, MLAs Appaji Nadagouda, B.C Patil, Bhima Naik, Former MLA Ashok Pattan, MLC Ivan D’Souza and others were present.
“One cannot term small demands about their constituencies as differences. It is false that the MLAs will desert the party just for that reason. There is nothing wrong in MLAs asking ministerial berths. There is no need to give colour to the meeting of some MLAs with Jarkiholi brothers”.
- Siddaramaiah, Former CM
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Chandrashekhar Swamiji apologises for remark on denying voting rights to Muslims
"If my statement has upset our Muslim brothers, I deeply regret it."
Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."
In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.
The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."
The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
