Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Nov 12: Hitting out at the Congress-led state and BJP-led central governments, former chief minister and state JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday November 12 said that both the national parties have been busy in playing vote bank politics instead of solving the problems faced by the people.
Addressing reporters at the Circuit House during his visit to the city to participate in a programme, Kumaraswamy referred to the controversial Tipu Jayanti celebrations and said, "Was it necessary to create so much confusion with the celebration of Tipu Jayanti? If certain people have respect for a person, let them celebrate that person's jayanti (birth anniversary), and those who are not interested, let them not. The opposition BJP staged strong protests against Tipu Jayanti, and ultimately, the protests were in the limelight along with minister Tanvir Sait (for allegedly watching porn during the Tipu Jayanti event), and not the celebration itself. What is the use of celebrating Tipu Jayanti then?
"From the past few days we are left wondering if there is a home minister in our state or not. The law and order situation is in a bad state. Today when any murder takes place, political colours are attached to it. The murders are categorised on the basis of the victim's affiliation to an outfit or political party. Let me say this - when murder occurs, the culprit should be punished severely irrespective of the victim's affiliation to any group. Now the BJP has started this new trend. In Piriyapatna, a person (Magali Ravi) died due to accident and when questioned the government is saying forensic department is handling and that investigation is on. But nothing has come out. BJP is trying to cash in by claiming that a BJP worker has been murdered. By doing all this, both the political parties are creating animosity between the people of the state.
"Karnataka has been a peaceful state - don't spoil the peace for personal or political gains. Both the national parties are busy in attracting votes rather than solving the problems of the people," he said.
Lashing out at the state government, Kumaraswamy said, "From the past three years, the farmers in rural areas are facing difficulties due to natural calamities. The state government has given a report to the central government in which it is stated that there has been a loss of Rs 16,000 crore due to scarcity of rain. From yesterday (Friday November 11), chief minister Siddaramaiah has undertaken state-wide tour to assess the drought situation, starting from Belagavi. But from the report in the media, it appears that he is doing this just for formality with no actual interest.
"Yesterday when the farmers went to meet the CM to complain about the behaviour of some of the MLAs and ministers, we saw in the media that the ministers literally pushed them away. In Dakshina Kannada too, the areca and rubber growers are facing many problems, but no initiative has been taken by the state or the centre to give support price to the affected farmers.
"Incidents of farmer suicides are also being reported but the government is not taking any serious step in this regard. When the state is going through so many problems, both the national parties are busy creating more problems rather than solving the existing issues," he charged.
Commenting on minister Tanvir Sait who was allegedly caught watching porn during Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Raichur, he said, "He made a mistake right from his first statement. Whether he has committed the act or not is another issue. When BJP legislators were caught watching porn in the Assembly in the past, the same Siddaramaiah had demanded their resignation. How can it be any different today? Hence Tanvir Sait should resign.
"People who are in responsible positions should be careful. Media is doing its job, so filing a defamation case is not necessary. I want to bring to caution the government that if you start filing cases and getting mediapersons arrested, you will have to pay for it," he added.
"The Belagavi session begins from November 21. The first two days would be disrupted due to Tanvir Sait's issue and the other two days over the murders of different people in the state. When will they (Congress and BJP) discuss the problems of the people?
"Dakshina Kannada is facing problems due to vote bank politics of both the national parties," Kumaraswamy said.
On the drowning incident during the shooting of 'Mastigudi' Kannada movie which claimed the lives of two stuntmen, he said, "It was childish on the part of the movie team in handling the stunt. Now the producer has been sent to jail but actually the stunt master, the production manager and the director should have been arrested first, as it was their responsibility to ensure safety. The producer only invests and most of the time he is not on the set. The government should form strict policies with regard to dangerous stunts."
"Congratulate PM for demonetization of currency"
Asked if PM Narendra Modi's move to demonetise the high currency notes would affect the political parties, he said, "My party will not face problems as no one gives us money because we are a regional party, but definitely other parties would face problems. I want to congratulate the PM and thank him for this decision. At the same time, before implementing this move, the PM should have assessed the impact of this decision on the general public. There are many instances where people have kept their savings at home for their children's future or weddings. How will they go and deposit the money in the bank now? Such people would definitely suffer, but the decision was necessary."