Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS/SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 16: Former union minister and Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary on Thursday December 15 demanded CBI investigation into the sex CD case on account of which excise minister H Y Meti had to step down from his post.
Addressing a press conference here, Poojary urged RTI activist Rajashekhar to reveal identities of two legislators and three ministers who he claims are also involved in such scandals. He questioned the chief minister as to whether he was too feeble to be able to get to know the names of the ministers and MLAs involved in this scandal. He also wanted to know from Siddaramaiah about his inability to get the CD in question when someone claimed that he was in possession of incriminating material against the minister. "If you are unable to gather this information on your own, it is nothing but the height of stupidity," he added.
Coming down heavily on chief minister (CM) Siddaramaiah over Meti's sex scandal, he questioned the CM, "Do you want the end of Congress in the state?"
"RTI activist Rajashekar released the sleaze video of Meti in Delhi. This episode involving a Karnataka minister has created a lot of buzz across the country. He also hinted at five others who are involved in scandals. What is the chief minister doing? Can't he find out who those five are? Can he not talk to Rajashekar and find out? People of the state are waiting for the chief mnister's response, he is answerable to the people. The chief minister has the ability to find out who they are. The high command has given you (CM) a long rope and the people of the state have a feeling that the same rope will tighten around your neck," he said.
Heaping praises on the late J Jayalallthaa for showing motherly love and introducing people-friendly schemes for the benefit of the citizens of her state, he said it was tragic that Karnataka chief minister failed to do anything else except introducing Akshara Dasoha scheme with great difficulty. "When you were finance minister, I had asked to provide rice to the poor at the rate one or two rupees a kg, but you had fought with me for coming up with this suggestion. By not contacting RTI activist, Rajashekhar, or getting the CD from him immediately after getting information before it was released, were you planning to kill the party? You should show your mettle by pointing out the MLAs and ministers referred by Rajashekhar before it is too late," he suggested, addressing the CM.
Lashing out at PM Narendra Modi over demonetisation, he said, "People of the country are desperate due to the shortage of notes in the country. There is no cash available in banks, ATMs or money lenders. The Prime Minister has taken a unilateral decision without consulting anyone or making alternative arrangements, due to which people of this country are suffering. In the begining according to the survey about 80 percent of the people supported the PM but now the figure has come down to 36 percent. This is the verdict given by general public. Thus the Prime Minister does not have right to continue in power.
"There are many senior leaders in his party, he should hand over the power to them. Now the Prime Minister is saying he is making India a cashless country. There is no country in the world which is cashless - be it the USA, Swizerland, Japan or any. Thus the Prime Minister should step down in the intererst of the people of this country."
The press conference was attended by Kallige Taranath Shetty, Arun Coelho, Karunakar Shetty, former city mayor, Purandar Kulur and others.