From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 10: KPCC President and Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, who returned from Delhi after consultations with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, the State in-charge, described the controversy over the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s expensive foreign wrist watch, Hublot, as a "closed chapter".
The chief minister has handed over the watch to the State Assembly Speaker KagoduThimmappa for placing in the Cabinet Hall of Vidhana Soudha after declaring it as government property, he said asserting that there was no point in harping on the subject.
Dr Parameshwara denied reports that he had presented a report blaming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the ruling Congress party's unimpressive show in the recent ZP, TP polls and by-polls for 3 assembly constituencies.
"I briefed Sonia about the ZP, TP poll results. Congress has won in 10 ZPs on its own strength, we are in a position to come to power with minor political understanding in another 5 ZPs. The issues Chief Minister's watch and cabinet reshuffle did not come up for discussion," Dr Parameshwara explained.
Answering questions, he agreed that the Congress party could have done much better. "We are looking into the reasons why the party did not do as well as it expected," he said.
CM’s prerogative to expand or reshuffle cabinet
He made it clear that expansion of the State Cabinet or reshuffle of the ministry is Chief Minister's prerogative.
"Siddaramaiah has not discussed about it with me as he is busy in preparing the budget. I will give my inputs if asked," he said.
As for getting a new President for KPCC, Dr Parameshwara said that he had been heading the party for the past five and a half years.
The issue was not discussed with the Party President and the high command would take a call on choosing the new KPCC President, he said.
However, he evaded a direct reply when asked whether he would continue if asked to.
"In such a scenario, I would have to decide whether to continue as the minister or head the party. I will take a call if the high command asks me to decide," he said.
Housing problem of policemen will be solved
Meanwhile, speaking about his department, Dr Parameshwara said the severe housing problem of the police personnel is expected to ease this year with the Home Ministry set to construct 11,000 houses for constables and Sub Inspectors.
About Rs1000crore is needed for taking up the housing project. The proposal had been submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
"We are expecting a positive response. It would be enough if Rs500crore is provided as grant and the State Government provides guarantee to raise loans upto Rs500crore for the project," the Home Minister said.
State police force, which has a sanctioned strength of 1 lakh personnel is yet to attain its full strength. About 25,000 posts are yet to be filled.
About 3,000 to 4,000 personnel retire from service every year. The process to recruit about 8000 constables is on and would be completed soon, Dr Parameshwara said.