Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)
Mangalore, May 3: Criticizing the state government for failing to maintain law and order, former BJP minister and Chikmagalur MLA C T Ravi on Saturday May 3 held district incharge minister Ramanath Rai responsible for recent incidents of crime in the district. He likened the administration in the district to ‘Ravana Rajya’, calling Rai the 'Ravana' of DK.
Addressing a press meet at the district BJP office here, Ravi said, "The Congress party in the district is resorting to communal politics to gain mileage in every possible manner. A terrorist who was instrumental behind the Chennai train blast had boarded a train from Subrahmanya. This is a testimony to the fact that DK is becoming a major hotspot for terrorists. The lackadaisical attitude of the administration has facilitated these terrorist outfits to operate without any fear."
The former minister, while questioning the logic of the state government in declaring Rs 10 lac as compensation to the family of Kabeer who was recently shot dead by the ANF in Sringeri, said the Congress party seems to have turned a blind eye to the death of Swathi in the Bangalore-Guwahati train blasts at Chennai.
"The state government is playing politics even in people's death. Why are the ministers in the district mum on the recent gangrape of minor girl at Bantwal?. We have information that the rape was committed by aides of Congress leaders, which is why they are making all efforts to shield the rapists," he alleged.
He further said there was no proper understanding between ministers and bureaucrats at the state level, which he said had resulted in administrative paralysis. "The chief minister of Karnataka proved this when venting anger at senior IAS officer and secretary to the department of personnel and administrative reforms Sanjiv Kumar. The officer informed the Karnataka high court about the constitution of Officers' Service Board, which fixes the tenure of government employees. For bypassing the cabinet, the CM ordered the officer to leave the cabinet meeting," he added.
"The state government has considerably failed in tackling severe drought in 140 villages. Many districts are facing acute shortage of water. Has the government taken any steps to find solutions to water crisis? The question is not only posed by the BJP but also by the governor of the state. It is sad that the CM has neglected the serious questions put forth by the governor by blatantly sidelining the issue," C T Ravi said.
He quipped that the Congress-led state government was in news only for its ministers’ shameless controversies. Making a veiled reference to minister Abhayachandra Jain, he said, "A cabinet minister had gone to the extent of issuing threat of assault to a journalist. If such situations prevail in the district in the coming days, BJP will stage a massive 'Ramanath Rai Hattao' (remove Ramanath Rai) protest to restore peace."
Nalin Kumar Kateel, Capt Ganesh Karnik and others were present.