CM defends induction of "tainted" ministers

Bangalore, Jan 3: Under attack over his mini-cabinet expansion bringing in two senior "tainted" legislators, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today defended his action, saying the new ministers D K Shivakumar and R Roshan Baig have not been held guilty of corruption.

"Have they (Roshan Baig and D K Shivakumar) been proved guilty in any court of law? No, they haven't. There is nothing wrong in inducting them into the cabinet," he told reporters here at his official residence 'Krishna'.

Shivakumar and Baig, who are viewed as "scam tainted", were inducted yesterday reportedly reluctantly by Siddaramaiah who had kept them out of the ministry for the last several months but ultimately yielded to party high command.

A former Congress state unit working president, Shivakumar is facing allegations of illegal mining and land scam. Baig is under cloud over land grab charge. He had resigned as minister in 2003 for alleged links with the multi-crore Karim Telgi fake stamp paper scam.

To a query, Siddaramaiah said it was not prudent to compare alleged corruption of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and mining barons Reddy brothers (Janardhana and Karunakara) with Shivakumar and Baig. "They weren't jailed like Yeddyurappa and Janardhana Reddy," he argued.

Moreover, the BJP does not have any moral right to question the induction of Shivakumar and Baig as R Ashok and K S Eshwarappa continued in the previous BJP ministry, despite facing corruption charges, Siddaramaiah said.

On the delay in cabinet expansion, he retorted, "Can anyone question why we have delayed it. We had to do it and we did it now. It is a political decision. We take such decisions after discussing them with the High Command," he added.

To another question, Siddaramaiah retorted, "Who told you we have Low Command. We have only High Command. There were no hurdles (in expanding the ministry). We have freedom (to take decision). There was no interference."

Siddaramaiah's move has not gone down well with civil society groups and several prominent public figures, who had been opposing induction of Shivakumar and Baig, besides triggering discontent among ministerial aspirants.

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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