S.R. Mahesh lacks political knowledge: Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Bengaluru, August 25: “Minister SR Ramesh had lowered the dignity of the upper house of the Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and showed utter lack of regard and knowledge about the Indian Polity,” stated Defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
In an official clarification about the heated exchange of words that took place between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and District in-charge Minister SR Mahesh in flood-hit Kodagu district, said that her Kodagu tour schedule was prepared two days ago and circulated to all concerned departments before her arrival. However, during the trip, the district minister replaced the programme. According to her schedule, the meeting was to be held with ex-servicemen first. Then she had to meet officials after visiting the flood-affected areas. But Minister SR Mahesh pressed for a meeting of officials before.
The protocol was violated by allowing media at a meeting with the district administration. The minister insisted on holding officials meeting first. She went to the meeting of officials to avoid the situation from deteriorating. But, the venue was already set up for the press conference, and hurriedly the officials were summoned to sit among the mediapersons for the review. It was unprecedented to hold a meeting with the officials, with all mediapersons present," the clarification said. “It is unfortunate the way Karnataka minister behaved,” Nirmala Sitharaman said.
There has been gross misinterpretation about the use of the term 'Parivar' by the defense minister. It maintained that all ex-servicemen were part of the ministry of defense parivar.
- Nirmala Sitharaman, Defense Minister
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Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa laid to rest with full state honours
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa was laid to rest with full state honours on Monday.
The 94-year-old former minister, who passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday, was cremated at the Kalleshwara Mill premises, following Veerashaiva-Lingayat traditions.
Earlier in the day, Shivashankarappa's mortal remains were brought to his native Davanagere, where they were kept at the high school grounds for the public, his followers, and well-wishers to pay their last respects.
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Expressing deep sorrow over his demise, the Karnataka government ordered that his last rites be performed with full state honours.
Both the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council also mourned his passing, adjourning their sessions for the day after paying tributes.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, several ministers, opposition leaders, legislators, and political figures paid their respects.
A number of seers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community also attended the last rites.
Shivashankarappa represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency. He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for some time before succumbing to age-related ailments.
The senior-most legislator in Karnataka, Shivashankarappa, was also one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the country, sources said.
He is survived by three sons, including S S Mallikarjun, the Karnataka Minister for Mines, Geology, and Horticulture, and four daughters. His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.
A six-time MLA, Shivashankarappa also served as a minister and an MP.
He was a prominent educationist, establishing several educational institutions, and was an industrialist.
Additionally, he served as the treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for decades and was the president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
