From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 9: Sharply reacting to former Chief Minister and State JD(S) Chief H D Kumaraswamy’s charge that Congress party has ‘hijacked’ candidates from his party, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D K Shivakumar on Saturday said his party does not need to hijack candidates from other parties but those willing to join by accepting the party’s ideology are welcome.
“We will never say no to people who wish to join the Congress party by accepting the party’s ideology and leadership,’’ he said.
Shivakumar confirmed that JD(S) MLA Managuli had met him before his death and his son Ashok had also accompanied.
“I don’t have to tell lies on this issue,’’ he said.
At the same time, he made it clear that he understands Kumaraswamy’s pain and the reason for his remarks. He also clarified that he had no problems with Kumaraswamy’s remarks made out of pain that people from his party had joined the Congress party.
Reacting to Kumaraswamy’s tweet on Ashok Managuli being chosen as Congress candidate for the Sindhagi assembly by-election caused by the death of his father, the KPCC Chief said both Managuli, when he was alive, and his son Ashok had met and discussed with him. Even Congress Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has also said the same. ``Why should we lie about this issue?’’ he asked and pointed out that the matter could be confirmed by cross checking with Ashok.
Shivakumar said Ashok had met him again 15 days back and had met him with his father, before he passed away. ``The Congress party has sufficient strength and many capable persons. We will not say no to those joining the party by accepting Congress ideology,’’ he reiterated.
The KPCC Chief said even Kumaraswamy had said it several times that politics is not static. While some are willing to join Congress, many are looking at BJP.
“He (Kumaraswamy) should remember that his father H D Deve Gowda became Prime Minister with Congress support even though he had barely 17 MPs. Did we hijack him or his party leaders? Those who wish to join other parties due to their own reasons, will do so. Several leaders have joined Congress in the past and late Managuli had also met me along with his son Ashok,’’ he said.
The KPCC Chief claimed that the party will win in Sindhagi and Hanagal assembly by-elections judging from the mood of the people in the constituencies.
He also confirmed that BJP leader Ramesh Jarakiholi’s close confidants had met him recently. But he made it clear that he cannot disclose details of the discussions.
No comments on IT Raids
Shivakumar declined to comment on the recent Income Tax (IT) Raids on the residence and properties of the close aide of former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and Irrigation Department contractors in different parts of the State without knowing the full details.
“I have seen the media reports on the IT raids. But I don’t have definite information to say that the raids were politically motivated without knowing the official statement from the IT Department or Irrigation.
There might be several issues involved. Without knowing the kind of documents seized or cash recovered or getting confirmed reports, it is not possible to comment. It might have political overtones,’’ he said.
Shivakumar said BJP is ruling in Delhi and they might have their own calculations on how to handle and control issues and people. The person subjected to the IT raids cannot be termed as Yediyurappa’s personal assistant. There are reports that raids will be conducted on the residence of the former Water Resources Minister. "I have information that some ministers have gone to Delhi to plead that their houses should not be raided,’’ he claimed.
CM’s Delhi visit after IT raids
The KPCC Chief said IT raids cannot be conducted within one or two days as there are calculations and plans behind such moves over a long period and some may be targeted and some protected. "If the IT raids are specifically targeted at Irrigation Department contractors, there might be specific information on what has happened during the last one year and who are involved,’’ he said.
In a veiled statement on Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s sudden visit to Delhi soon after the IT raids, Shivakumar said: “The Chief Minister did not go alone; the former Water Resources Minister has also accompanied the Chief Minister.’’
The KPCC President charged that the BJP government in the State was hurriedly moving ahead to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for saffronisation of the entire education system.
“When BJP ruled states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are yet to take any steps for implementing NEP, what is the hurry for implementing it only in Karnataka?’’ he asked and reiterated that there must be comprehensive dialogue on the NEP with diverse sections of Education experts, teachers and parents as well as other stakeholders. How can the entire education system be overhauled all of a sudden? It is said the degrees are useless and degrees will be given even after a one-year study. So what kind of education system are we bringing? Is this the Gurukula system? The country’s economy did not suffer during Dr Manmohan Singh’s regime even when the world economy crashed,’’ he said.
As one who runs educational institutions, Shivakumar said that he had studied the issue in depth and wanted to know why the NEP was not discussed in Parliament or in the State legislature. There may be one or two good points in NEP. That does not merit hurried implementation and it must be discussed threadbare. “The way NEP is implemented in a hurry is nothing but an attempt to saffonise the education system,’’ he contended.