Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)

Udupi, Oct 31: MP Shobha Karandlaje spoke to media on various topics on Wednesday, October 31.

Reacting to the statement of CM Yediyurappa of dropping lesson on Tipu Sultan from the school syllabus, she said, "I strongly support the decision of CM Yediyurappa of taking the lesson on Tipu Sultan out from the syllabus of school children. He was an invader, who had done injustice to Karnataka. He had pushed Hindus from the hills. Tipu destroyed the lineage of Madakari Nayaka."

"When Siddaramaiah-led government was in power, we had requested for cancellation of Tipu Jayanti celebration. The Yediyurappa government has cancelled the celebration of Tipu Jayanti within one month of assuming power. We have kept our word as per the manifesto. Why history of traitor like Tipu Sultan should be recorded?" questioned Shobha.

Venting her fury against Tipu Sultan, Shobha further said, "Tipu back stabbed the Mysore Wodeyars, who had developed the state. No record of Tipu should be there in the syllabus of schools and colleges. This is my opinion. It is good to take out all his deeds from the syllabus itself. There is no need of lesson on Tipu, who meted out injustice to and converted majority people. Let our future generation do not read the history of Tipu who has killed thousands of people. Children have history of great human beings who have lived in this country."

"We should read the history of freedom fighters. There is no question of twisting the history of Tipu Sultan. Many books, glorifying Tipu Sultan have been published. People who want to read about Tipu will get books in market and libraries. If required, let Siddaramaiah and H D Kumaraswamy read these books. Even if their next generation wants to read it, it is fine," concluded Shobha on the issue of removing lesson on Tipu from school text books.

When asked about Sharath Bacchegowda of BJP's statement that he will celebrate Tipu Jayanti, Shobha said, "I do not know in what context he has said this. We will ask him."

Reacting to the statement of Siddaramaiah on the internal understanding of BJP and JD(S), MP Shobha said, "Siddaramaiah has lost his mental balance along with the loss of power. He has become the leader of opposition by blackmailing the Congress leaders. Siddaramaiah does not have any hold on the Congress party."

"Many factions have come up in the Congress party like Siddaramaiah faction, faction of people who have defected from JD(S), faction of Dr G Parameshwara and D K Shivakumar faction. As Siddaramaiah is unable to control these factions, he speaks whatever comes to his mind. BJP will fight alone in the upcoming by-elections and win all the seats. BJP will rule for the next 3.5 years. None of the JD(S) leaders or MLAs is in our touch. If any MLAs have to join BJP, they have to give up their MLA position. This is our stand since the beginning," said Shobha.

Venting anger against Siddaramaiah, Shobha further said, "People of Karnataka have seen as to how Siddaramaiah has conducted himself during the five years of his tenure as CM of the state. He has broken castes and religions. He is under the illusion of taking benefit out of such acts. People of the state have come to know about the ulterior motives of Siddaramaiah. This time around no one will succumb to the plans of Siddaramaiah to occupy the CM's chair."

Responding to the effect on the by-election of the release of former minister D K Shivakumar, MP Shobha Karandlaje said, "The release of D K Shivakumar from the prison will not have any effect on the by-polls. Even when D K Shivakumar was there, assembly elections had taken place. Even when D K Shivakumar was the minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government, Congress did not win many seats. We had won 104 seats in the last assembly elections in spite of D K Shivakumar's influence on the voters. We agree that it is difficult for us to win the Kanakapura legislative assembly constituency. But there is no effect of D K Shivakumar anywhere else in the state. The people of Karnataka have come to know what the real D K Shivakumar is."

Expressing her condolences on the demise of former Lokayukta Venkatachalaih, MP Shobha said, "His contribution in strengthening the Lokayukta of the state was significant. I am really saddened by his death. The governments have to follow the gift of law and guidelines that have been founded by Venkatachalaih. Our government has strengthened the Lokayukta. Siddaramaiah had made the Lokayukta, a snake without teeth. All his scams were hidden through ACB. We will discuss strengthening of Lokayukta in coming days."