Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Nov 15: Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah, came to the rescue of embattled member of his cabinet, education minister, Tanveer Sait. He expressed the feeling that the minister had not done anything wrong.
"Tanveer had given me explanation about the entire day's proceedings. On the basis of his explanation, I do not think he has done anything wrong. At the same time, cyber crime cell of criminal investigation department has been asked to probe the episode," Siddarmaiah said. He was speaking to media persons after taking part in the birth anniversary of former prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in the Vidhan Soudha premises on Monday November 14.
File photo
"When the minister had taken part in Tipu Jayanti celebrations, he told me, he was going thorough messages received on cellphone about various incidents which happened in different districts like Mysuru and Kodagu. Prima facie, therefore, I deem that he is not guilty. Still, investigation will be conducted to reach to the root of the issue," he stressed.
When his attention was drawn towards demand for Tanveer's resignation by BJP leaders, the chief minister got agitated and said that it would not be possible to do what BJP wants, without finding out the truth behind the incident. He also clarified that he had not discussed this issue with the party high command, but that Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dr G Parameshwar, was consulted on the subject by central leaders of the party.
At the same time, speaking to media persons at Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, said that steps would be taken by the party against minister, Tanveer Sait, if the investigation concludes that he was guilty of the charge being levelled against him. He also said that it was improper to compare the episode of viewing of blue film by BJP ministers with the current one.
Leader of the opposition in legislative council, K S Eshwarappa, warned that his party will disrupt sessions being conducted at Belagavi shortly if the chief minister fails to obtain resignation from minister, Tanveer Sait. He said that viewing of obscene pictures over cellphone when sitting on dais of a public function was something that would belittle the position held by Sait.