Dinesh Gundu Rao questions BJP’s stance on POCSO case against former CM Yediyurappa
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday hit out at the BJP for not taking action against former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa against whom a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case has been registered.
He said the central government did a commendable job by suspending the National Film Award to be presented to choreographer Jani Master citing allegations of crime under POCSO Act
Anyone who is under investigation or inquiry for sexual harassment or molestation should not be honoured, the Minister said, adding that it was a good decision by the central government.
However, the party did not adopt the same yardstick when it came to Yediyurappa, the Health Minister said.
“However, my question is regarding B S Yediyurappa, who is facing a POCSO inquiry. An FIR has been filed, the CID has investigated the matter, and now the trial is set to begin. Why is the BJP not taking any action against Yediyurappa, especially considering the serious charge of sexual harassment of a 17-year-old girl?” Rao sought to know.
Stating that a chargesheet has been filed against Yediyurappa, the Minister said the "minimum action" the BJP should have taken is to remove him from "his post in the central committee".
“Why are they keeping him? He is facing a Lokayukta inquiry for corruption, and now he’s facing a POCSO trial. When such serious allegations exist, especially concerning women, why is the BJP acting inconsistently?" Rao asked.
Yediyurappa is a member of the BJP parliamentary board, and central election committee.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
