Stop daydreaming, Zameer Ahmed tells BJP leaders
Bengaluru, October 14: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said that state BJP leaders have been day dreaming for power.
Speaking at a felicitation programme to MLC Venugopal, organized by the Jayanagar Citizens Forum at Jayanagar here on Sunday, the Minister said that the BJP leaders have been predicting the collapse of Congress-JDS coalition government after the by-election. But the coalition government would be safe for five years. So, it was better that the BJP leaders should stop daydreaming for power, he said.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy who protected the interests of the farmers by waiving off their loans, has been giving good administration. Unable to tolerate his popularity, the BJP leaders have been making false accusations, he said.
Kumaraswamy would remain as the Chief Minister for next five years without any doubt. The Coalition government would toil hard for the welfare of the state and sustainable development was the prime objective of Congress. In view of this, the Congress high command has given up the chief minister post to Kumaraswamy, he said.
KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the Congress would identify even the marginal community and provide position, for which, M.C. Venugopal from Savitha Samaj was an example. After successfully handling various responsibilities, Venugopal had organized the party in Bengaluru. So, the MLC position was given to him. Let him organize the party further in coming days, he said.
MLA Soumya Reddy said that Venugopal was instrumental in her victory in Jayanagar constituency. He had sacrificed his constituency for her. So, she would always be grateful to him, she said.
Former minister Ramalinga Reddy, Kendra Sahitya Academy President Dr. Chandrashekar Kambara and Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Authority President Dr. K. Marulasiddappa were present.
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CM Siddaramaiah's economic advisor denies saying 'Karnataka is no: 1 in corruption'
Bengaluru, Apr 9 (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s economic advisor, Basavaraj Rayareddi, on Wednesday said he never claimed that "Karnataka is number one in corruption" during the tenure of the present Congress government.
Rayareddi issued a clarification after a few publications in Karnataka reported that, during a review meeting by a committee for the redressal of regional imbalance, he had told officers that Karnataka tops the country in corruption.
Accusing the media of twisting his statement made in Koppal, the Yelburga Congress MLA said he had only highlighted the perception that "Karnataka is branded as the most corrupt state", which, he said, is unfortunate.
"I did not say that corruption has increased during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure. It’s a phenomenon that has been prevailing for the past two to three decades," Rayareddi told reporters here.
Insisting that he never made such a statement at a press conference, Rayareddi claimed, "I never said Karnataka is the number one corrupt state. I only said that Karnataka is branded as the most corrupt state. This impression has been created due to the poor governance by the previous BJP and JD(S) governments."
The MLA said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was doing commendable work by ensuring fair administration and was supported by dynamic ministers such as Krishna Byre Gowda and Priyank Kharge.
"Our government is doing good work. I support our Chief Minister because he is doing a good job. Whether he makes me a minister or removes me from this assignment (as economic advisor), I will continue to support him," Rayareddi said.
His remarks gave ammunition to the opposition, which has been alleging rampant corruption in the state.
BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan appreciated the Yelburga MLA for being candid in “accepting” that corruption has increased in Karnataka.
"We are happy that at least someone from within the Congress spoke about it," Narayan said.
In response, Rayareddi hit out at the BJP and JD(S), saying these two parties brought a bad name to Karnataka, and that some of their ministers had even gone to jail during their tenure.
Rayareddi said he was clear in his speech in Koppal on Tuesday that corruption had increased over the last few decades without blaming any one political party.
According to him, "corruption in North Karnataka is more prevalent compared to the old Mysuru region."
He also remarked that schools built these days collapse within five years, while those built during his father’s time remain intact for decades.
The MLA said he was concerned that corruption has escalated mainly due to electoral politics and felt that a public discussion on the issue was long overdue.
"I am happy that the media presented half the truth about what I said. At least this way, a discussion to curb corruption has begun," he quipped.
