Bangalore: Cong Leader Asks Yeddy to Quit BJP, Launch Own Party
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Netrwork - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 12: Former minister and Congress MP A H Vishwanath on Thursday advised former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to quit BJP and launch his own political party instead of shamelessly ''kowtowing” before RSS bosses.
Vishwnath, who is known for making controversial statements against leaders within his own party and also for his open criticism of JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and former JD(S) Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, came down heavily on the Hindutva organisations such as RSS and Bajrang Dal for wielding ''extra constitutional powers” and “meddling in the affairs of the ruling party” in the State.
''It is nauseating to learn that the RSS leaders are guiding the BJP leaders from Keshava Krupa, the RSS headquarters,” he said.
Vishwanath asked Yeddyurappa to leave the BJP before they force him to do so.
The BJP grew from zero and came to power, Vishwanath said pointing out that the leadership qualities of Yeddyurappa contributed a lot for the party’s growth in the State.
''The inherent advantage of Yeddyurappa is his ability and expertise in beaking opposition parties and luring influential leaders from other parties through Operation Kamala," he said.
''The person, who cried there will be 'kranti’ in BJP after Sankranti, has finally been tamed,” he said in an obvious reference to Yeddyurappa's recent outbursts and subsequent silence.
Additional CS must be Asked to probe JNNURM Works
Vishwanath urged the State Government appoint a senior officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary as nodal officer to implement the projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum to utilise the full complement of Rs.22,000 crore allocated by the Centre.
The Congress leader criticised the State Government for its lethargy in utilising a mere Rs.2,672 crore in six years, which spoke of its lack of commitment to the welfare of the people.
Though the Centre had given a total of Rs.74,633 crore to Karnataka during the five year plan period, Yeddyurappa regime had failed to properly use the allocations.
Not much progress was made in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, the RaJiv Gandhi Rural Electrification and Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana.
The Transport Minister R. Ashok had purchased high tech buses and build huge buildings/bus stations where the common man had to cough up Rs. 20 for a cup of fee.
However, he praised him for funding the railway projects to the tune of Rs.1,000 crore out of the promised Rs.5,000 crore.
Vishwanath criticised the Finance Secretary Narasimha Raju for refusing to part with information with him on the funds spent from both the central government programmes as well as budgetary allocations.