Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 10: Appointment of former vice chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), H Maheshappa, as general secretary of information technology unit of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has given rise to differences between chief minister, Siddaramaiah, and higher education minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy.

While Siddaramaiah has justified the appointment of Maheshappa, a senior minister of the cabinet, Basavaraj Rayareddy, has openly opposed this appointment. It may be recalled that Maheshappa was in the eye of controversy during his long stint as vice chancellor of VTU. Charges of corruption had been levelled against him, and he was suspended. Rayareddy said that he would be writing to the chief minister, requesting him against appointing Maheshappa to the post.

Siddaramiaah however, brushed aside the opposition by questioning why Maheshappa should not be appointed. He pointed out that Yeddyurappa, who had been jailed, has become state president of BJP. He also felt that there were allegations against Maheshappa which were not proved and hence there was nothing wrong in appointing him.

Rayareddy, in response thereof, said that he came to know about Maheshappa's appointment only through the media. "I will write to KPCC president to inform him that people who are tainted should not be given positions of power in the party. I will send a copy thereof to the chief minister too," he added.