Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Mangaluru, Aug 5: "What is happening in the parliament is not good. Print and electronic media of this country have exposed a lot of scams like Vyapam, and those involving Lalit Modi, Pankaj Munde, Sushma Swaraj and others. Corruption is like cancer in the society, there is no deadlier disease than cancer. If the country has to develop, then India must be freed from corruption. Like in all other fields, there is corruption in politics too," said former union minister and senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary.
Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday August 5 at the district Congress office, Poojary said, "Vyapam scam cost the country crores and crores of money. Students also suffered a lot of stress and loss. More than 50 accused and witnesses in the case have died so far. The revenue department, RTO, police departments, Vidhana Soudha, state and central governments are all full of corruption."
Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "Modi is saying today that Parliament is facing a loss of Rs 10 crore to 15 crore (due to disruptions). Is it a big amount in comparison to loss caused by scams? Modi is not speaking about scams. The union government is arrogant. Everybody knows what happened to Duryodhana in Mahabharat because of his arrogance. Democracy is being disrobed in the parliament. Dushasana (the union cabinet and the BJP) is disrobing the democracy," he added.
Poojary also posed these questons to the Prime Minister demanded answers: "Is media the voice of the people? There are people in your party who are involved in scams and corruption. Is it not right for them to resign? Modi had promised that he would eliminate corruption from the country. Are you waiting to see your party fail? People are not going to forgive you. You have not listened to the media. You are not speaking a single word. What kind of a lesson are you trying to give to the future generation?"
Speaking about problems faced by farmers, Poojary said, "Farmers are committing suicide. Why cannot you (Modi-led government) give a seperate package for Karnataka? This is a huge issue. You have not spoken to farmers - you do not have time for that. Media is highlighting the problems of farmers. It is the duty of every politician to meet farmers and then to go to the parliament.
"Former chief minister Yeddyurappa is the vice-president of BJP and a Lok Sabha member. He has failed to urge Modi to come and meet the farmers in Karnataka. Earlier Congress government had cleared off the debts of farmers. Why is it not possible for the Modi government to clear off the debts?" he questioned.
Suresh Ballal, former mayor Mahabala Maarla, Harikrishna Bantwal and others were present.