Political parties should behave responsibly without challenging law and order: CM Bommai
Hubballi, Aug 21: With the Congress in Karnataka all set to hold protests censuring the egg hurling incident against party stalwart Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said people should behave responsibly without challenging the law and order.
Addressing reporters here, he said, "We can function even when there are differences of opinion, but no one should challenge the law and order by taking to the streets."
The CM said the incident in which eggs were thrown at Siddaramaiah's convoy in Kodagu district was being investigated. He added that he has directed the police to investigate the matter thoroughly and provide adequate protection to Siddaramaiah.
"... I have given instructions to give protection to the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly. However, it is left to the political party on how much it wants to play it up and politicise it. I would like to say that peace and public order is every political party's responsibility," Bommai said.
To a query on burning Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's photograph in some parts of Karnataka, Bommai said ideologies should be fought ideologically.
"It is a documented fact that former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi had hailed Savarkar, calling him the best son of the country. Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar too spoke about Savarkar, for which he was criticised," Bommai claimed.
Referring to 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, he said there were views expressed against and in support of him.
"These are historical facts. It is our responsibility how we refer to it on any given platform," Bommai said.
A group of BJP activists waved black flags and hurled eggs at Siddaramaiah's car during his visit to Kodagu on August 18 to inspect rain-related damages in the region.
The Congress has decided to organise 'Madikeri Chalo' programme to protest against the incident tentatively on August 26.
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.
Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
