Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (SP)
Mysore, Dec 7: Clarifying his stand after his ‘Tarle (problem mongers)’ comment created a furore across the state, renowned Kannada writer, S L Bhyrappa, clarified on Monday December 6 that this comment was aimed at the politicians in the state, and not the people in general.
In a written statement, Bhyrappa felt that those who had published his statement wrongly, should have called him and sought his clarification. “I am always prepared to discuss about the progress of Kannada and Karnataka. Being at Kannada writer, I have immense love for my land and my people. Even if I criticize, it is backed by a sense of love and concern, driven by the inner desire that they will progress further,” he said.
About criticisms against him for taking pro-Modi stance, he cited an example in which Gujarat and Karnataka governments had tried at the same time, to get Nano car factory of Tatas to their respective states, after it was decided to close down the facility at Sigrur in West Bengal. “Every industrialist seeks facilities like land, railways, road, airport, water and uninterrupted power. Everyone knows that Karnataka lags behind in these aspects. Although our state government said it would provide land near Hubli, the Tatas were not in a position to trust it. Realizing that opposition parties would block every initiative of the government, Tatas chose Gujarat instead of Karnataka. The farmers in Gujarat were convinced by Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, about the benefits of this deal. Modi neither demanded bribe nor allowed anyone else to make money out of this deal. That is why the farmers there got value for their land. In our state, the opinions of the farmers get swayed by statements of different politicians,” Bhyrappa has said.
He hailed Narendra Modi as the best Chief Minister among all the Indian states. He said he had worked in Gujarat for six years, and that he has been witnessing dramatic development there, every time he has visited that state thereafter, and heard from the common people there about Modi’s achievements. He said that Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Research set up by the Congress government, has recognized the achievements of Modi.
Bhyrappa clarified that to a question about land scams, he had replied that those who have no capacity to earn money by running their own industry or business, take to politics to earn money through land trade. He reiterated his demand for investigating the rise in income of politicians after they enter politics, and questioned whether they are filing income tax returns every year, showing every additional asset they acquire.
He noted that on Sunday a handful of people had gathered in front of his house, duly inviting the media persons in advance. He said they had raised slogans against him in singular. He expressed his resentment at the attitude of the protestors in not having patience to gather proper information, and raising disrespectful slogans against a Kannada writer, wondering how can such people be expected to protect Karnataka and Kannada.