Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says action taken by Governor against Siddaramaiah is justified
Hubballi (Karnataka), Aug 17: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday endorsed the action taken by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam’ stating that it is justified.
Addressing the media here, he said that those in high positions of power should have respect for the law and the Constitution. The governor has taken appropriate action in this regard.
He said the governor had granted permission for prosecution in the corruption charges against the chief minister. The investigation will be conducted either by the Lokayukta or local authorities.
Joshi said that the chief minister should fully cooperate with the investigation.
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Governor Gehlot on Saturday granted sanction for prosecution of Siddaramaiah in connection with the MUDA site allotment 'scam’.
In the MUDA 'scam', it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA.
The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where MUDA developed a residential layout.
Under the controversial scheme, MUDA allotted 50 per cent of developed land to the land losers in lieu of undeveloped land acquired from them for forming residential layouts.
Recalling that former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa had resigned on moral grounds when allegations were made against him, the union minister suggested Siddaramaiah too must resign.
In a statement issued by his office, Joshi suggested that Siddaramaiah can pursue legal action if he wishes and noted that the Constitution, drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar, provides even a common citizen with the right to seek legal recourse.
The union minister emphasised that those in public life should maintain clean hands. Only then will people have faith in democracy. Therefore, he urged Siddaramaiah to first resign and cooperate with the investigation.
Joshi clarified that no Central agencies are conducting the investigation. Since their own government (Congress) is in power in the state, they should face an investigation by the Lokayukta.
"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah often claims to have clean hands and says his political life is an open book. If that's the case, why is he afraid of any investigation?," Joshi questioned.
The union minister warned that if Congress tries to politicise the governor's approval for prosecution against the CM, people themselves will respond and pointed out that no Central investigative agencies are attempting to arrest Siddaramaiah.
Joshi sought to know whether former Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj, who served during Yeddyurappa's tenure as CM, was a Congress agent and said it is inappropriate to casually label the current governor as a BJP. Speaking lightly about individuals holding Constitutional positions of honour was not acceptable, he added.
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No stubble burning now, why air pollution crisis in Delhi: Mann takes dig at BJP
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday slammed the BJP saying its leaders used to "defame" Punjab farmers over stubble burning and blame them for Delhi's poor air quality and questioned why is there pollution crisis in national capital despite no farm fires now.
Mann said that as soon as paddy harvest takes place, BJP leaders blame Punjab and its farmers for Delhi's poor air quality.
He said they used to claim that stubble burning by Punjab farmers causes Delhi's pollution.
Mann said at present, the Air Quality Index in major Punjab cities is between 70 and 130.
"At present, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500 and no smoke is coming from Punjab. But the situation in Delhi is worse. At least now they should agree that there is no role of Punjab for Delhi's poor air quality," Mann said in a video message.
Mann's remarks came on a day Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised for the air pollution crisis in the national capital and acknowledged its impact on children's health.
Sirsa, however, asserted that it was the result of the policies pursued by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
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Last month, the BJP had trashed the Punjab CM's previous claim that stubble burning in the state has no role in the high levels of air pollution in Delhi as "ridiculous".
Dismissing Mann's claim, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva had last month said it is certain that stubble burning is a "major" factor (for the air pollution in Delhi).
Meanwhile, Mann in his video message said, due to severe floods which Punjab witnessed this year, paddy harvesting got delayed, "despite this, many Delhi ministers had already started blaming Punjab".
"I want to praise Punjab farmers, NGOs and efforts of the Punjab government have also paid off in controlling stubble burning this time. The cases of stubble burning in Punjab have reduced by 70-80 per cent and this has been acknowledged by the Central Government and the Union Agriculture Minister," Mann said.
The CM further said that after paddy harvest even the wheat crop has been sown and now, there is no incident of stubble burning.
He said BJP leaders used to claim that Punjab's smoke from stubble travels to Delhi.
"Now, there is no stubble burning, but Delhi is facing very poor air quality. This proves that earlier too Punjab's smoke had no role for Delhi's poor air quality. Only accusations were made by the BJP to defame Punjab. At least now the Centre should praise the farmers of Punjab," he said.
"Meanwhile, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500, flights are being cancelled, and breathing has become difficult," said Mann.
He asked both the BJP government in Delhi and the BJP led Centre to address Delhi's air pollution, saying citizens cannot even venture out for a walk due to air pollution.
He also asked the BJP that Punjab should not be dragged into this political battle, instead, Punjab's farmers should be appreciated, and the Delhi and Central governments should focus on addressing Delhi's air pollution.
Mann further said that farmers of Punjab are 'anndatas' (food providers) and they meet the country's food needs, they should not be defamed.
