Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayapura (SP)

Vijayapura, Jun 3: "The central government has differentiated between MPs, Prahlad Joshi and Suresh Angadi. This exhibits the mindset of BJP leadership. The BJP has not done justice to Angadi," commented state home minister and Congress leader, M B Patil, expressing his ire at the union government.

Speaking to media persons, Patil said that the central government had used different yardsticks when assessing the capacities of Joshi and Angadi. "Both won four times and hence have sufficient experience. Joshi has been given cabinet rank whereas Suresh Angadi has been made minister of state. Even though both of them are equal in everything else, they have been treated differently when being accommodated in the union ministry. Lingayats should properly understand this aspect," he said.

Patil expressed the feeling that Angadi should have been given cabinet rank, and sought explanation from, the BJP leaders for this partisan treatment. He sympathized with Angadi, a minister of state, for having to work at a position that is below that of Joshi. "If I was in the position of Angadi, I would have rejected the offer of ministry to hold myself respect high," he claimed.

Hindi: He acknowledged that Hindi is official language. "Before imposing any language, widespread debates and discussions need to be conducted. It is our duty and responsibility to nurture and support Kannada language. Before taking any decision on implementation of HIndi, opinions should be pooled after holding widespread discussions," he said.