Deve Gowda not allowed to finish his maiden speech in Rajya Sabha; party says "insult to Karnataka"
New Delhi: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha on Sunday after his party nominated him to the Upper House. But his maiden speech as the newly sworn-in member of Rajya Sabha was marred with constant interruptions and the Speaker of the House, Deputy Chairman Harivansh also urged him repeatedly to conclude 10-minute speech, even asking the next speaker to start while Deve Gowda was still speaking.
Taking strong note of the development, Deve Gowda’s party JD(S) called it an insult to Karnataka.
“There are just two former two Prime Ministers in Rajya Sabha, Manmohan Singh and Deve Gowda. Kannadigas are not getting respected anymore, even in the committee for culture constituted, there were no south Indians. The Union Government takes Karnataka for granted, the state gave them 25 MPs but still they don't have any concern for us.” Party spokesperson TA Sharavana was quoted as saying by The News Minute.
Deve Gowda started his speech talking about farmer’s issues viz-a-viz the contentious farm bills in the Parliament. While Gowda was talking about his experience as a politician handling issues of farmers, by the fourth minute, the Speaker started asking him to conclude his speech. Many members of the ruling government too were heard heckling the 87-year-old Deve Gowda, asking that he wrap his speech.
“It is great that even at this age, he is there to represent our state. The Union government and the BJP MPs did not even allow him to deliver his speech and express his opinions. They kept asking him to stop talking and sit down, kept interrupting. This is not just an insult to Deve Gowda, but to all Kannadigas. This is why we ask the voters to always vote a regional party to power, we have always taken up issues that are important to the people of the state and not succumb to high command pressure like other national parties.” added Sharavana.
Earlier in the day, Deve Gowda had taken oath in Kannada and greeted the chair with folded hands. The 87-year-old leader, was in June elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. This is the first time that the JD(S) leader has become a member of the Upper House since 1996.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had remarked after Deve Gowda's swearing-in-ceremony that he is a "good addition to our House".
"Former prime minister and one of the senior-most leaders of our country has come to our house," he said.
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Ramanagara (Karnataka), Apr 26: JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday alleged that cash and gift vouchers were distributed in Bengaluru Rural constituency, especially in Kanakapura Taluk, a charge rejected by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
D K Suresh, brother of Shivakumar, is seeking re-election from the seat for the fourth time.
The NDA, of which JD(S) is a part, has fielded cardiologist Dr C N Manjunath -- brother-in-law of Kumaraswamy and son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda -- who is contesting on BJP ticket.
As the elections were in progress in 14 constituencies in the state, Kumaraswamy alleged that some supporters of BJP and the JD(S), were attacked in Kanakapura Taluk and their shirts were torn off.
"Guarantee cards (gift vouchers) were distributed with which people can make purchases up to Rs 10,000. When our boys made a noise, they were attacked," he alleged.
Money was also distributed since Thursday night, he said, adding that in Kunigal Taluk, a man died by suicide after Congress workers "attacked, pestered and threatened him."
"Even after giving complaints to the Election Commission, no action was taken," Kumaraswamy said, and added sarcastically: "I want to tell the EC to allow people to openly allow distribution."
Dismissing the allegation, Shivakumar accused Kumaraswamy of specialising in blame shifting.
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at his birthplace Dodda Aalahalli in Kanakapura Taluk in Ramanagara district, he said, "It is Kumaraswamy’s habit to shift blame to others after committing a crime. He distributes gift cards and money to voters but accuses the Congress of doing so."
Regarding the allegation that Congress is giving gift coupons worth Rs 10,000 in Lulu Mall, Shivakumar said, "Let him (Kumaraswamy) go and lodge a complaint with the Election Commission. It is easy to do hit-and-run without any proof."
