Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 27: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary on Saturday February 27 slammed JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy for claiming that the luxury Hublot watch of chief minister Siddarmaiah was a 'stolen' one, in a press meet that was marred by boycott by reporters after Poojary refused to entertain a journalist who wanted to ask a question.
"H D Kumaraswamy is alleging that the CM's watch was a stolen one. Kumaraswamy should talk with some responsibility. I have respect for JD(S) president Deve Gowda. Dr Sudhakar Shetty (whose watches had been stolen) has already clarified that the CM's watch was not the stolen one. Why is Kumaraswamy levelling such false accusations? Former PM H D Deve Gowda should answer whether making such a false accusation is not a criminal offence.
Addressing himself to Deve Gowda, he said, "Will your son Kumaraswamy agree that he is making these accusations for political gain? If this is not a false accusation, he should prove it. After Dr Sudhakar Shetty himself has clarified, what more is left to speculate? Don't you have decency to tell your son that what he is doing is not right?"
He further said, "Chief minister Siddaramaiah agreed to pay gift tax to the government. Still, there are several questions about why the watch was given in the first place and what was the benefit. However, as per the law, Siddaramaiah has not done any mistake. He will pay the tax and also declare the watch as a state asset. I am now questioning the opposition and Kumaraswamy - how did CM violate the law?
"As a former minister of finance, I know that he has not violated any law and he has also paid the tax. Legally it is correct and no one can find any fault," Poojary asserted.
"PM Modi had worn a Rs 10 lac suit with his name embroidered in golden thread, and later he auctioned it. Why can't the BJP question the PM about who gave him the suit? What is the necessity to politicize this issue of the watch? If you (BJP) have guts, question the PM about his suit. If you continue with this, you will lose your credibility," he added.
"Former CM Yeddyurappa has given various advertisements in the media. From where have they come? The BJP should question him also. Why cannot Congress question him on this?
"Several people are dying in the country. Even Karnataka is affected by drought. Think about how to solve it. Implement Rajasthan model in Karnataka to save water," he advised the state government.
In a veiled reference to MLC Ivan D'Souza, Poojary said, "Have all the MLAs and MLCs from the district met the CM to apprise him of the problems of the district? You (Ivan D'Souza) have not been elected by the people. Do you think the Congress party has gained anything from you? Do you know about people's problems? I was five-time MP, and when I gave suggestions all MLAs and ministers would be silent. You only know to pose with ministers."
On the Economic Survey report of the country, he addressed himself to union minister of finance Arun Jaitley and said, "You want to cut the subsidy on poor people's food. Do not do this. You have gained 2.5 lac crore from reduction of international crude oil prices, but did you give this benefit to the poor? If you cut subsidy even on food, the poor and the middle class will suffer. What kind of finance management is this? Even the PM can't understand this. Let the PM say he is not 'chai wala'. Let him go to the farmers and hear their grievances."
On the sand mafia in the coastal region, he said, "Construction activities have completely stopped. I am not supporting the builders but the workers there. If they do not work they won't have bread to eat. Sand is being transported from Mangaluru to Bengaluru. What is the admnistration doing? What is the police department doing? The concreting work on roads is pending. Do you want construction workers to commit suicide? Now they are saying that the sand mines are auctioned. This has put the poor and the middle class into problems as price of sand will increase. The administration should wake up and fix a price and take action against illegal sand mining. Can't you (district administration) stop the sand transport from Mangaluru to Bengaluru?
When the press meet was thrown open to questions, Poojary grew angry at a reporter for no apparent reason. The reporter tried to ask a question on sand mining, but Poojary did not allow him. A verbal clash ensued between the reporters and the Congress leader, after which the reporters boycotted the press meet and walked out.