Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (SP)
Shivamogga, Aug 9: Rural development minister, K S Eshwarappa, issued a warning that people who lay their hands on the BJP workers will not be spared. This statement has received a lot of flak.
Speaking after inaugurating the city executive committee meeting on Sunday August 8, Eshwarappa recalled that in the past, whenever the BJP workers were roughed up by the activists of other parties, the BJP did not have the capacity to hit back. "Now, our party has lacs of workers. No one can imagine if a procession of Hindutva is organized. There was a time when the senior leaders of the party advised the workers to remain quiet even when the party workers were murdered. Times have changed now, and our organization is very strong. We are now capable of retaliating," he warned.
Speaking about the differences over the portfolios allocated to the newly sworn in ministers, Eshwarappa insisted that there are no differences. He stated that Anand Singh and MTB Nagaraj have been seeking change of departments. He said the chief minister will assuage their feelings and there is nothing unusual.
On the issue of Mekedatu, speaking to media persons, he accused the Tamil Nadu of playing politics on the issue. He insisted that the state will implement the project in tune with the Supreme Court judgement. "Irrespective of who goes on hunger strike, we are unconcerned. The party leaders who are opposing the project in Tamil Nadu have to build the party there on other issues, not on issues like these," he felt.
About the dissatisfaction expressed by Hassan MLA Preetham Gowda on the chief minister visiting Deve Gowda after swearing in, he said Preetham had built the party in Hassan and won the election in the constituency where Deve Gowda is predominant. "Bommai met Gowda as he is a former Prime Minister and statesman, and not because he is a JD(S) leader. I will speak to Preetham on this issue," he stated.
MLA Amaregouda Patil Bayyapur, hitting back at Eshwarappa for his statement, blamed him of forgetting the oath he took to discharge duties without fear or favour and issuing communally provocative statements. Many others joined him.