Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)

Udupi, Jan 17: Karnataka home minister Dr G Parameshwara arrived in Udupi on the night of Saturday January 16 to oversee the preparations for the Paryaya celebrations to be held on January 17-18. Sri Vishweshateerth Swamiji of Pejawar Math is all set to ascend the Paryaya Peetha for the fifth time.

Dr Parameshwara paid a visit to Pejawar Swamiji and discussed the preparations with him.

Speaking to reporters later, the minister said, "Programmes like Paryaya should keep happening in order to preserve Hindu culture. Lacs of devotees and prominent leaders are participating in the celebrations and adequate security will be provided to all. I have already examined the security arrangements with the IGP and the superintendent of police. All arrangements under my purview are in place.

"On behalf of the chief minister, cabinet ministers and I will try to participate in the Paryaya programme. Due to upcoming elections, the chief minister is unable to attend. VIPs including central ministers will also grace the celebrations. Pejawar Swamiji has blessed me as well as the people of the state. He wishes well for all."

"Accept post of Chikkamagaluru district in-charge minister"

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru earlier in the evening, Dr Parameshwar, who had initially expressed reluctance to accept the post of district in-charge minister of Chikkamagaluru, made a u-turn and said he was ready to accept the responsibility.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah had said that as minister Abhaychandra Jain wanted to relinquish his post as district in-charge minister of Chikkamagaluru, home minister Dr Parameshwar would be given the charge instead. However, Dr Parameshwar had shown reluctance to accept the post, saying that as he was already holding the positions of home minister and KPCC president, and the additional responsibility would be a burden.

Speaking to reporters at the Circuit House in Mangaluru, Dr Parameshwar said, "The chief minister has full authority to name the district in-charge minister. Chikkamagaluru district is not new to me. I will do my best to fullfil the responsibility given to me by the CM. Moreover, I will also face the zilla and taluk panchayat polls.

Responding to former CM Jagadish Shettar's statement that chief minister Siddaramaiah was a 'liar', the home minister retorted, "We are not expecting any award of appreciation from the opposition. The recent statements of BJP leaders Eshwarappa, Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar are laughable. There is no need to attach any importance to everything they say."

He also said that appropriate measures are being taken to uproot communal forces in the coastal region and that the government has been planning to have a Garuda squad on the lines of NSG in Dakshina Kannada district.