From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 27: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar paid homage and glowing tributes to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlql Nehru on his 59th death anniversary.

Siddaramaiah offered floral tributes to Nehru by garlanding the statue in front of Vidhana Soudha and later participated in the programme held at the KPCC office to pay homage to Nehru along with KPCC Chief Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The Chief Minister said Nehru was the real architect of modern India and had done enormous service to the country during his long tenure of 17 years as Prime Minister.

Nehru was instrumental in strengthening democracy after the country secured freedom from the yoke of British colonialism. He had established public sector undertakings and paid big encouragement to the development of science and education. The five-year plans started by Nehru has helped in the development of all states and the country despite the huge challenges faced by the government, he said.

Several key leaders joined Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle and Subhas Chandra Bose, SardarVallabhabhai Patel, Chandrashekhar Azad, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Maulana Azad were among the stalwarts, who worked shoulder to shoulder with Nehru, he said and pointed out that the people must always remember the contribution of their freedom fighters.

Portfolios of ministers by Sunday

Later speaking to media persons, the chief minister said the government wants to establish peace and maintain law and order situation. "Any organisation and leaders inciting communal violence or disturbing peace and communal harmony will be dealt with sternly,’’ he declared.

He said the government has not talked about banning Sangh Parivar and made it clear that any organisation found disturbing peace and harmony will be put down firmly.

The portfolios of the cabinet ministers will be announced by tonight or by Sunday, he said answering questions.