CM Yediyurappa calls on public representatives to introspect
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday said democracy can be successful only if public welfare is the primary goal of every elected representative, as he called on them to introspect.
"Both the ruling party and opposition have to work with caution so that no untoward incidents happen in the legislative assembly and the council, but as public representatives we have to question ourselves whether we are following it, we have to introspect," Yediyurappa said.
"Our conduct should be such that it shows the path for the future generations, if we are always conscious about this, mistakes won't happen," he said adding successful implementation of democracy is possible with good traditions and practices.
The CM was speaking at a meeting on the topic "An introspection-preventing the decline of parliamentary values", organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Karnataka Branch, here.
Noting that in today's juncture the social values are deteriorating, he said, "if the last person in the society has to get the government facilities, public representatives have to look at everyone equally."
An inclusive society is possible only when common good is seen above individual interests.
Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah were among others present at the event.
Public expect their representatives to be the voice of those who are exploited and downtrodden, and the bearers of the values enshrined in our constitution, Yediyurappa said.
"Democracy can be successful, only if public welfare is the primary goal of every elected representative," he observed.
"Before independence our political stalwarts were such that they used to think that their existence was for the sake of the country, it is unfortunate that post independence political stalwarts started thinking that the country is there for them, as a result we have reached this sorry state," he said.
Protecting the dignity of the house (assembly/council), is the duty of every public representative, the Chief Minister said as he spoke about strengthening the democracy and responding to the needs of the people, by ensuring a pro people administration with the help of powers wested constitutionally.
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Kerala CM Vijayan urges PM Modi to withdraw FCRA amendment provisions
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed concerns over certain provisions in the proposed FCRA Bill and sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to withdraw them.
In a letter to Modi, Vijayan said the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, has sparked concern among various sections of society, particularly minority communities.
A copy of the letter, sent on Sunday, was shared on his Facebook page on Monday.
In the letter, Vijayan noted that a perusal of the bill’s clauses indicates that powers have been granted to authorities to take over assets even for technical omissions.
“The apprehension is that granting such sweeping powers to authorities could lead to arbitrary exercise, and such concerns cannot be dismissed as baseless,” he said.
The chief minister pointed out that the existing law already provides sufficient powers to deal with misuse by entities permitted to receive foreign contributions.
He further said the amendment proposes enabling the takeover of assets, including places of worship and charitable organisations, even in cases involving technical issues such as violations of time limits.
Vijayan warned that the provisions could adversely affect institutions engaged in selfless service in areas such as education, healthcare, and the welfare of the poor and marginalised, even in the absence of significant lapses.
Stating that the issue has triggered concerns among religious groups and minority communities, the CM urged the prime minister to intervene in the matter at the earliest.
He also urged the PM to take steps to withdraw the provisions related to the takeover of assets in the amendment bill, noting that the existing Act has adequate safeguards to address violations.
The chief minister wrote to Modi at a time when reports about the proposed provisions in the FCRA Bill had triggered widespread reactions among political parties and various church denominations in poll-bound Kerala.
