Stop neglecting South India, former Congress MP DK Suresh tells Central government
Bengaluru: Former MP DK Suresh has criticized the Central government for failing to release the grants due to Karnataka, pointing out sharply that all states had equal status in the country, not just Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing reporters at his residence in Sadashivanagar on Saturday, Suresh said that the negligent attitude of the Centre towards state while imposing regulations was proving a danger to the unity of the nation. “The Centre should be strengthening the nation by providing states the facilities they need, rather than only imposing rules on them, which is weakening our country,” he opined.
Suresh, who commented on the tax being paid by Karnataka and other South Indian states, said that, although the North Indian states paid much lesser tax, the Centre continued to support them for development of the states. This was greatly hindering the progress of the South Indian states, which were denied their shares in the grants, he added.
When asked about the imposition of Hindi, the former Congress MP said that he opposed it as it would also weaken the states.
Referring to census, Suresh said that he continued to support a redistribution of grants and reformation of constituencies, based on population. “We expect the Centre to conduct a census this year, but the formation of constituencies based on population will work completely in favour of North India and ignore the South Indian states,” he said and stressed on the need for South Indian states to fight in unity against the system.
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Nothing wrong in MLAs aspiring for ministerial position: K'taka HM Parameshwara
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Bengaluru (PTI): Amid a group of ruling Congress MLAs camping in Delhi with a cabinet rejig demand for their inclusion, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said there was nothing wrong in legislators aspiring for ministerial positions.
He asserted that experienced MLAs were capable of handling such responsibilities.
His remarks came a day after senior and first-time MLAs stepped up lobbying efforts in the national capital with the party high command, seeking a cabinet reshuffle and greater representation.
"There is nothing wrong in them asking for it (ministerial position)," Parameshwara, a senior Congress leader, said
He added that the MLAs, some of who have been elected thrice, are capable to take up the ministerial positions.
He maintained that the final call on any cabinet reshuffle rests with the party high command.
"Our Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah), the high command, and our party (state) president (DK Shivakumar) decide about reshuffle. These three sit together and take a decision," he said.
The minister also indicated that the established procedure for cabinet formation was likely being followed.
"Earlier too, when I was the (state Congress) president, during cabinet formation, the Pradesh Congress Committee president, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader, and our in-charge general secretaries would take decisions that would then be presented before our AICC president, approval would be obtained, and then it would be announced," he said.
He added that even today the same procedure is followed.
Responding to questions on whether senior ministers would make way for newcomers, Parameshwara said they would abide by the party's decision.
"If the high command decides then we have to accept it. There is no question of not accepting it," he said.
Stressing on party discipline, he added, "Whether it is me, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, or Energy Minister K J George, we all are seniors. If they (high command) decide that we should be replaced and make changes, then there is no question of us opposing it."
Clarifying that discussions were limited to a possible cabinet reshuffle, he said decisions on leadership matters were entirely in the hands of the high command.
He said the discussions were limited only to the Cabinet rejig and not changing the party state president, a post being held by Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar for the past six years.
"Right now we are discussing cabinet reshuffle, not about the party president. All such matters are left to the high command," he said.
Recalling his own appointment as state Congress president in the past, Parameshwara said he had not lobbied for the post. "When I was made president, I did not lobby for it. Our leader Sonia Gandhi took the decision. It came as a surprise to me. I had not asked for it," he said.
On Sunday, several senior MLAs travelled to Delhi to press for a cabinet reshuffle, while first-time legislators renewed their demand for representation, seeking at least five berths in the Siddaramaiah-led ministry.
The push for a rejig comes amid internal rumblings within the ruling party and speculation over leadership issues, even as the high command is yet to take a final call.
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