Pitching for "collective leadership", Former Deputy CM Parameshwara says he can't be "kept away"
Bengaluru, Sept 19: Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara on Thursday pitched strongly for a "collective leadership" and said it was not possible to build the party keeping him away, amid reports of differences within the state leadership.
The former Deputy Chief Minister however ruled out any rivalry between him and Congress Legislature Party leader and Siddaramaiah.
"Keeping someone away, party cannot be built. If someone says they will build the party keeping Parameshwara away, it is not possible.
Or by keeping someone else away party cannot be built.
That is why I keep saying it should be a collective effort, as everyone has different strengths," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he pointed out that party came to power in 2013 as the election was fought under collective leadership.
"Even now it is possible if there is collective leadership, if someone says - he alone can do things - it is not possible," he added.
Speculations were rife within certain Congress circles that Parameshwara, who is said to be eyeing the Leader of Opposition post, was unhappy with Siddaramaiah's "growing dominance" in the party.
His absence from the CLP meeting held under the leadership of Siddaramaiah on Wednesday had added fuel to the speculation, despite clarifications issued by party leaders that Parameshwara was in Delhi and hence did not attend it.
Prameshwara has said, he had no prior knowledge about the CLP meeting, and got to know about it only after landing in Delhi.
With B S Yediyurappa taking over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in July, following the fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, Leader of the Opposition post is vacant.
With Congress now the principal opposition party in the assembly, the position goes to it.
Though, Siddaramaiah as CLP leader is seen as the primary contender for the post, several senior party leaders including Parameshwara are said to be opposed to key post resting with former Chief Minister, and are willing to throw their hat into the ring.
There are also talks within the Congress circles regarding the change of KPCC President, party sources said, pointing out that Dinesh Gundu Rao, the incumbent currently holding the post, is considered "close" to Siddaramaiah.
However, Parameshwara seeking to downplay differences within the party, termed speculations about "rift" between him and Siddaramaiah as a "conspiracy".
"I feel there is some conspiracy behind projecting it that way, as they know that if we both (Parameshwara and Siddaramaiah) are in good terms Congress will be stronger, and if we are not in good terms it may lead to groupism within the party," he said.
Parameshwara pointed out that he has worked with Siddaramaiah as both party president and Minister in his government.
"There may be a difference of opinion between us, but that does not mean that there is rivalry between us," he added.
Parmeshwara also said, there was no need to give a "different meaning" to Congress President Sonia Gandhi giving appointment to him for a meeting during his visit to Delhi, while "denying" it to Siddaramaiah recently.
Further stating that during Delhi visit he met senior party leader D K Shivakumar, being probed by ED in a money laundering case, Parameshwara said, "he told me that he has not committed any theft or fraud, and it may be true that there may be some mistakes while accounting, and he would face it legally and come out clean."
Congress has accused the BJP of indulging in "hate politics" against Shivakumar, a sitting MLA from Kanakapura assembly seat and a former Minister, by "using" ED against him.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
