From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 26: Responding to BJP leader and former minister R Ashok’s statement that the Congress government has ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s on his arrival to Bengaluru to visit and meet the ISRO scientists on the successful Chandrayaan mission to moon, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday ridiculed Ashok by pointing out that the Prime Minister’s Office has not taken the BJP leader into consideration at all.

“Ashok, who had also served at the Deputy Chief Minister under BJP, is totally in the dark on what the PMO has decided and should refrain from speaking on issues about which he is ignorant,’’ he said in a sharp rebuke to the BJP leader.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru near his residence on Friday, Shivakumar pointed out that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and himself along with Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma were ready to visit the Kempegowda International Airport in the morning to receive and welcome the Prime Minister on his arrival in Bengaluru at 6 am.

“We know protocol and the respect that is to be accorded to dignitaries. The government was ready to visit BIAL to receive Modi on his arrival in Bengaluru. But we were informally advised that none of us, including any ministers, officers or even the State Governor should not receive the Prime Minister for according welcome as per protocol. Accordingly, we did not go the airport,’’ he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister disclosed that the government had asked the PMO to officially intimate the Chief Secretary’s office that nobody should come to the airport to receive the Prime Minister and an official letter has been sent to Chief Secretary’s office by the PMO.

“We therefore chose not to visit the Airport to receive and welcome Modi. He may belong to our rival BJP but we are aware of the protocol. When specifically asked by the PMO in writing, how we can flout the direction,’’ he asked and mentioned that “Ashok is ignorant of what the PMO has written because he is not taken into consideration at all.’’

Shivakumar said the Congress government respects the Prime Minister and his office. “He has arrived in Bengaluru to felicitate the scientists of ISRO. When we are told not to come, how can we go,’’ he asked.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also in charge of the Water Resources Department, said he would not like to comment on what Tamil Nadu’s counsel Mukul Rohatgi had told the Supreme Court claiming that the Karnataka has Cauvery water storage and deliberately not releasing water.

“This is legal and technical matter. We have furnished all information pertaining to storage levels in all our reservoirs to the Supreme Court and now the Cauvery Monitoring Authority has been asked by the apex court to take a decision. We cannot comment on what happens on Monday when the Authority meets,’’ he said.

He, however, asserted that implementing the Mekedatu balancing reservoir is the best possible solution. It will benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka and they should not continue to object. The project will benefit farmers of both states and all surplus water will be available to Tamil Nadu, he said urging Tamil Nadu government and leaders to accept the reality and take a magnanimous decision.

‘Shobha should fight for Karnataka’

Answering questions on Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje criticizing the decision of the all party leaders to take a delegation to meet the Prime Minister to mount pressure on the Cauvery issue on the Centre as ‘’nothing but a political gimmick,’’ he said the Court is deciding on the issue.

“If she (Shobha) is really interested in protecting the interests of Karnataka, let her speak about the plight of Karnataka and its farmers. Whether she supports us or not, we will do our duty. We will take the delegation to meet the Prime Minister and Union Jalshakti Minister when they give us the appointment. The government is committed to protecting the interests of Karnataka and its farmers,’’ he declared.

To a question on BJP leader M P Renukacharya and his meeting, Shivakumar shot back: “Is there anything wrong in meeting leaders of other parties? They come and meet us pertaining to demands of their constituencies. It is quite normal and common. Another BJP leader Somashekar has met us pertaining to drinking water problems in his constituency,’’ he said making it clear that Congress does not need to launch ‘’operation hasta’’ against BJP’s ‘operation kamala’.

“Leaders of other parties have their own concerns and political interests. They cannot wait endlessly and will decide on their future at the appropriate time. We have asked our party workers and leaders to welcome leaders and workers from other parties in the interest of the party,’’ he explained.

80% registration for Guarantees in Udupi

Shivakumar claimed that Congress government’s guarantees are not meant only for Congressmen but open to people of all parties.

“We don’t have an MLA in Udupi but as many as 80% of people have registered themselves for the guarantees. Our guarantees and programmes are not politically motivated and open to people of all parties. The other parties did not follow this policy and therefore people are registering themselves,’’ he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also heading the KPCC, indicated that the entire party organisation will be reorganized and the State patty unit will be revamped shortly.

“Many ministers are holding positions in the KPCC and this should be changed to make way for others,’’ he said clarifying that all posts, including those of Working Presidents will be changed soon to make way for newcomers.