Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 17: Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje on Sunday July 17 lashed out at the state government and said that minister K J George, who is facing opposition heat over the suicide of DySP Ganapati, has become an 'ATM card' for the Congress party.

She was speaking after inaugurating a district executive meeting of BJP at the town party office in Kadiyali here on Sunday July 17.

Addressing the party workers, MP Shobha said, "K J George is like the goose that lays golden eggs for the Congress. He is the ATM card for the Congress high command.

"Only two years are left to end Congress rule in Karnataka. This is the right time to fight against them. There is a huge difference between ground reality and political claims. There may be a lot of loopholes in a party, but we need to keep improving. BJP's target is very clear, that is 'Mission-150' and party workers should work towards it," she urged.

"BJP intends to bring people together and strengthen the party. Now people are turning to BJP and we are confident of getting full seats in Karnataka in the upcoming elections," she added.

Instructing party workers, she said, "The membership drive which includes paper works, registration, forming mandals and meetings should be over by July 30."

Criticizing the Congress-led state government, she said, "The achievement of  thestate government is zero so far. There is lack of funds for drinking water supply in the state. Union government released Rs 3,600 crore to the state for drinking water supply but it has not reached the local bodies.

"A grant of Rs 6.5 crore was given by the central government for dredging work at Kodi-Kanyana harbour but unfortunately the work is yet to start.

"The current state government is following anti-farmer policy. This is the right time to draw the attention of people to the issue. Government officials in the have stood up against the ruling party and police have started holding strikes seeking justice," she added.

Thingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, state secretary, Sunil Kumar, MLA Karkala, Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, district party president, Naveen Kumar Kuthyar, Suresh Kumar, Yashpal Suvarna and others present.

'Congress has stooped low in trying to protect George'

Addressing a press meet earlier, Shobha Karandlaje lashed out at the state government and said that the Congress had 'stooped low' in trying to 'protect' minister K J George in DySP Ganapati suicide case.

"The Congress government in the state is pressuring the officers non-stop. For example, a BBMP officer has been transferred 24 times, once every three months and now he is in Bagalkot. He told me that he has already applied for VRS," she said.

On demands for K J George's resignation over the DySP Ganapati case, she said, "George should have already given resignation. Why is the statement by Ganapati to the TV channel not considered a dying declaration, even though the Supreme Court has given guidelines in this regard. For the first time in the history of Karnataka, to protect a politician, Congress has stooped to such a low level. Even the monsoon session is not proceeding properly.

"K J George and officers A M Prasad and Pranab Mohanty and also Kempaiah who controls everything should resign. Kempaiah is taking revenge on officers," she alleged.

"I met Ganapati's wife Pavana. Injustice is being done to her and she is frustrated with the government. Ganapati's sister also spoke to me and his brother said that Ganapati used to often complain about the work pressure in the department. Home minister Parameshwara is giving irresponsible statements on the issue. We will not give up till Ganapati's family gets justice.

"We demand CBI inquiry into the suicide of DySPs Ganapati and Kallappa," she added.

Commenting on Congress politician Laxmi Hebbalkar who allegedly ordered a cop to release sand mining trucks that were seized and even told him to come to her house, Shobha said, "She is making officers to come to her house - who is she to do that? Congress is making officers stand outside their doors.

"The state treasury has incurred a loss of Rs 7,000 crore due to the sand mafia. The money has gone into Congress fund. There should be a protest against this inside and outside the Vidhana Soudha," she added.

"In the recent session five bills were passed in four minutes without any discussion. Entire law and order machinery has failed. The state government is also trying to close cases. It has misused the funds released by the centre," she claimed.