Karnataka BJP backs Guv Gehlot's address deviation, accuses Cong govt of 'misusing' assembly
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP State President B Y Vijayendra on Thursday strongly defended Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot over his decision to deviate from the government prepared speech during his address to the joint legislative session, and accused the ruling Congress of "misusing" the floor of the House to foster public resentment against the Centre.
He also demanded that CM Siddaramaiah take action against the ruling party MLA, MLCs for "trying to attack the governor".
"What his excellency governor has done today is right. He has taken the right decision. He has done his duty whereas the ruling Congress government insulting governor is not correct. Ruling party MLA, MLCs trying to attack his excellency is totally unconstitutional. So, I demand chief minister Siddaramaiah to tender an apology for the attitude of ruling MLA and MLCs... he should also take strict action.
"The Speaker should also look into the matter and take action against those MLA and MLCs who are trying to stop and attack governor," he told reporters here.
Earlier, Gehlot concluded his customary address to the joint session of the state legislature here after reading just two lines.
After delivering the brief address, the Governor walked out of the Assembly, amid protests by Congress members and attempts to gherao him.
Accusing the Congress government of "trying to misuse" the assembly, the BJP chief sought to know why such a situation arose in Karnataka today.
"When the Congress government is trying to misuse the assembly, they are trying to antagonise people against the central government is not correct. What is the reason?" he asked.
Vijayendra highlighted the various changes brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the NDA government and reflected how MGNREGA was replaced by VB-G RAM G, saying the PM's vision is to ensure the dream of Mahatma Gandhi ji -- Ram Raj and Gram Raj.
"To realise this dream, many valuable changes have been made and the poor people all across the country are welcoming this move. But unfortunately, the Siddaramaiah government is trying to politicise this issue, and spreading a false narrative, which is totally unacceptable," he said.
Responding to a query on the Congress dispensation exploring the option of approaching the Supreme Court against the Governor's attitude, the BJP state president said, "... it is up to them, but Siddaramaiah is acting as if he is the chief minister of the Congress party."
"Let me remind Siddaramaiah that he is the chief minister of Karnataka state and not the Congress party. He should not lower the dignity of the gubernatorial post. He should also not lower the dignity of the house. It is his responsibility," he added.
Reacting to the governor's decision to read his own speech, Vijayendra said they cannot expect the governor to act like a puppet and follow their directions.
"See by taking the constitution provisions you can't turn the governor into a puppet. You can't expect governor to follow your directions that's why I told the state government, and more importantly the chief minister should come forward to save the dignity of the house. He should respect the House. He should also respect the Raj Bhavan. It is chief minister minister himself who is trying to politicise and undermine the provisions of the constitution," he said.
Asked about allegations that Governor was acting as a political tool of BJP, Vijayendra said if at all the governor wanted to act like the political tool of the BJP, he could have skipped the session today.
"With due respect to the constitution provision, the governor his excellency came here and addressed the assembly and had discharged his duty. What else do they expect?" he asked.
Regarding the Congress' decision to protest against the governor's attitude, Vijayendra said that congress was left with no other choice.
"Till today people are cursing this Congress government as we have been discussing since last two years, where is development ? People are upset with this government... to cover up its failures, it is trying to blame central government. They (state government) trying to blame his excellency is not correct. BJP will face it politically. We will also hit the streets," he added.
Gehlot had on Wednesday refused to deliver the customary address to the Karnataka legislature scheduled for Thursday, taking exception to certain references to the Centre "repealing" the UPA-era MGNREGA.
A total of 11 paragraphs in the government prepared speech, which allegedly makes critical reference to the Centre and its policies, touching upon the MGNREGA and issues including devolution of funds seem to have irked the governor, who wanted them to be deleted.
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Former India defender Ilyas Pasha dead, AIFF, East Bengal condole
New Delhi/Kolkata (PTI): Former India and East Bengal defender Ilyas Pasha died on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
He was 61. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) condoled the death of Pasha, who was one of the best footballers to have come out of Karnataka.
A committed and soft-spoken footballer, Pasha carved out a distinguished career in an area of the field that demanded resilience and composure — defence.
Primarily operating as a right wing-back, he was renowned for his impeccable sense of timing, calm demeanour, and ability to read the game astutely.
Rarely flustered under pressure, Pasha's disciplined positioning and well-judged tackles ensured that opposing left wingers found little joy on his flank, while goalkeepers behind him operated with added confidence.
At the international level, Pasha made his senior India debut on January 27, 1987, against Bulgaria in the Nehru Cup at Kozhikode.
He went on to earn eight international caps, featuring in two editions of the Nehru Cup (1987 and 1991), the 1991 SAF Games, and the 1992 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Pasha began his football journey with Vinayaka Football Club, Vyalikaval, in north Bengaluru, where he also resided.
His consistent performances soon earned him a move to Indian Telephone Industries in the mid-1980s, a period that marked his emergence at the national level.
From 1987 onwards, he became a regular feature for Karnataka in the Santosh Trophy, representing the state at the tournaments held in Kolkata in 1987, Quilon (now Kollam) in 1988, and Guwahati in 1989.
His performance in Guwahati stood out, as Karnataka narrowly missed out on a final berth. He also won two Santosh Trophy titles with Bengal in 1993 and 1995.
On the back of his domestic exploits, Pasha was signed by Mohammedan Sporting, where he continued to enhance his reputation, winning the Sait Nagjee Trophy and the Nizam Gold Cup in 1989.
He later joined East Bengal, a move that ushered in the most defining phase of his club career. Representing the iconic red and gold from the early 1990s through the end of the decade, Pasha became an integral part of one of the club's most successful eras.
He captained East Bengal during the 1993-94 season and was a trusted figure under the late coach Subhas Bhowmick.
With the Red and Gold Brigade, he won the Calcutta Football League on five occasions (1991, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1998), the IFA Shield five times (1990, 1991, 1994, 1995 and 1997), and the Durand Cup four times (1990, 1991, 1993 and 1995).
His trophy cabinet also included two Rovers Cups (1990, 1994), the Federation Cup (1996), the historic Wai Wai Cup in Kathmandu (1993), Airlines Trophy titles in 1990, 1992, 1995 and 1997, the Bordoloi Trophy (1992), ATPA Shield (1992), Kalinga Cup (1993), McDowell Trophy (1995, 1997), and the Super Cup in the 1996-97 season.
He was also a member of East Bengal's celebrated triple crown-winning side in 1990 and captained the team to its first international title at the Wai Wai Cup in 1993.
He also wore the captain's armband when East Bengal registered a sensational 6-2 victory over Iraq's Al Zawraa SC in the 1993-94 Asian Cup Winners' Cup.
He got a special Lifetime Achievement Award from East Bengal in 2012.
The AIFF said it has joined the Indian football fraternity in mourning the loss of Pasha, a defender of rare composure and consistency, to honour his lasting contributions to the game.
In Kolkata, the East Bengal flag was kept at half-mast on the day, while the club’s Under-16 team observed a minute’s silence before training.
Former East Bengal skipper Falguni Dutta, who played alongside Pasha for two years, remembered him fondly. “I came to know early in the morning. I was shocked.
"When I came to the club in 1997, I was a raw talent and he was there to guide me as a mentor. He played in the same position as me, but I never saw any jealousy in him. He was like an elder brother -- a guide and a coach. He inspired us,” Dutta said.
East Bengal Club bid a final farewell to Pasha at his Bengaluru residence.
Working committee member Dipten Bose paid his respects, while former players Saravanan, Thomas and Feroz were also present.
