Karnataka by-polls: Sonia Gandhi’s decision should be watched out for, says Deve Gowda
Bengaluru, Nov 27: Congress President Sonia Gandhi's decision should be watched out for, JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda said on Wednesday, in a cryptic remark made in the context of December 5 by-polls in the state.
".. what happens after election results, the supreme leader is Sonia Gandhi, what she will decide everybody has to accept it in the Congress. We (JDS) don't have any supreme leader. We have to see what happens after election result is out," Gowda said.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, he said, if the coalition government had continued such a situation would not have existed.
To a question about the differences between Congress and JD(S) after the collapse of the coalition government, he said, "Do you expect us (Congress-JDS) to become one, immediately after the collapse (of the government)?"
The ruling BJP needs to win at least six seats in the bypolls to 15 constituencies in the state to remain in a majority in the 224-member assembly, which would still have two vacant seats-- Maski and R R Nagar.
JD(S) leaders, who have indicated that they don't want mid-term polls, have already stated that a call would be taken on the party's role, in case the ruling BJP loses majority, only after the results on December nine.
Interestingly, Gowda's son H D Kumaraswamy and Congress leader Siddaramaiah's recent statements that main objective of their parties in the bypolls was to defeat defectors, who are now BJP candidates, had led to speculations about possible coming together of former alliance partners if the situation arises.
State Revenue Minister R Ashoka on Wednesday alleged the Congress and JD(S), who had been fighting each other until recently, have come to an "internal understanding," fearing defeat in the bypolls.
"They (Congress-JDS) have prepared a sketch to pull down this government, but people of the state are with BJP and we will win in all 15 seats," he said.
Congress and JD(S), who had run a coalition government for 14 months and had contested Lok Sabha polls in alliance, have parted ways ever since the collapse of the Kumaraswamy ministry in July following the rebellion by 17 MLAs, and are contesting the bypolls independently.
However, in what was being perceived as JD(S)' softening of stand on the BJP, Gowda--not wanting mid-term polls in Karnataka--had earlier said he wants the Yediyurappa-led government to complete its term as it would give him time to build his party.
His son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy too had said JD(S) would not try to dislodge the ruling BJP government.
Among the 15 constituencies going to bypolls, 12 were held by Congress and three by JD(S), whose coalition government collapsed due to rebellion by the disqualified MLAs.
With winning majority seats crucial for the government's survival, BJP has fielded 13 of the 16 disqualified legislators who joined the party as its candidates from their respective constituencies.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
