Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Feb 10: "Opposition and the media are not right in projecting the accused as guilty time and again," said former chief minister of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa, while agreeing that viewing of porn clips on mobile phone during assembly session by some state ministers was an unfortunate incident.

He was speaking to media persons during his visit to Subrahmanya on Thursday February 9, to participate in a private function. He was accompanied by excise minister, Renukacharya, former ministers, Katta Subrahmanya Naidu and Halappa, and legislators, Lakshminarayana, R Vishwanath, and Suresh Gowda, apart from chairman of Coastal Development Authority, B Nagaraja Shetty. He visited Lord Subrahmanya Temple and paid obeisance to the deity. 

He said that the above three ministers have created history in the country by resigning within a day since allegations were levelled against them, and the fact that a house committee was formed to probe the incident in such a short time in itself is also an achievement. He clarified that the ministers resigned on their own to save embarrassment to the party and the government, and that they were not pressurized to put in their papers.

He pointed out that in various other states and centre, many persons have been continuing in their posts, even after serious charges were leveled against them. Several ministers and chief ministers have been attending courts in connection with investigations into allegations, which is an example of adhering to high democratic principles, he felt.

He also requested the media and opposition parties to exercise restraint till the house committee comes up with a report on the incident. He said the charges levelled against him are baseless, adding that he had resigned as per the wishes of the party high command. He expressed happiness at the popularity he enjoyed, which is evidenced by huge crowds which received him everywhere, and expressed confidence of returning as the chief minister of the state soon.

On his arrival, he was accorded welcome as per protocol by temple administrative officer, Sundar Bhat, Sullia tahsildar, Vaidyanath, temple executive officer, H M Kali, and protocol officer, Vankatraj. He also visited Samputa Narasimhaswamy Mutt and Adi Subrahmanya Temple.

Various leaders including Sullia BJP president, Venkat Dambekody, accompanied Yeddyurappa.

Yeddyurappa Decries Restlessness of Opposition

Speaking to press persons who met him during his visit to the city on Thursday February 9, former chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa, felt that the Congress and JDS are daydreaming of grabbing power in the state again.

“They are not prepared to wait for a month till the house committee findings come out. They are engaged in hasty protests as they feel they have a golden chance here,” he said.

He also decried the opposition for raising a din over the happenings in St Mary’s Island, wondering what else the chief minister can do other than ordering an investigation into the incidents. If resignations of ministers and chief ministers are demanded for every minor incident, it would be impossible to run governments in the country, he felt.

“All the three ministers who have now resigned used to discharge their duties well. I believe they will get out of bad times, influence of stars, and allegations soon. I am also confident that their memberships of assembly will remain intact,” he explained.

He felt that the people of state will not pardon these two selfish parties, which want to politicize everything for reaping benefit. “The Congress leaders say they will be taking to streets to hold protests. They are already in streets. They will continue to be there,” he commented.

He advised opposition leader, Siddaramaiah, to use some common sense and realize that formation of house committee and resignations by concerned ministers in such a short period were first ever in the history of the country.