Once the ‘war’ starts, we are all one: Shobha on dissidence in Udupi BJP

Udupi, Mar 9: BJP leader and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje said that there was no dissidence in the party over her candidature from the constituency which includes a coastal and a malnad district.

Replying to queries from presspersons after releasing a booklet on her achievements as MP in the last five years, Ms. Karandlaje said that whatever be the differences among the party leaders and workers, after elections are announced, all of them backed the candidate selected by the high command. “Once the war (elections) starts, we are all one,” she said.

To a question, Ms. Karandlaje said that if Sumalatha were to stand as an independent candidate from the Mandya parliamentary constituency, the BJP would consider supporting her. Asked if the BJP would induct her into its fold, Ms. Karandlaje said that now Ms. Sumalatha was in the Congress.

“But if she decides to join the BJP, she is welcome,” she said.

Answering a question, Ms. Karandlaje said that if the Muslim community agreed to have the Ram Temple, the issue would get resolved and the dreams of the Hindus would get realised. However, if mediation efforts lead to a solution, it too would be good, she said.

Ms. Karandlaje said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled the assurances he had given to the people of the country during the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Mr. Modi’s administration had achieved military and diplomatic successes. There was development in the country. Corruption had been reined in, she said.

Kota Srinivas Poojary, Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council, and Raghupati Bhat, MLA, were present.

Comments

AM not...i will support any invader

let them conquer the north india part we dont need this part...all ch@tiya people exist..

i will defend my south india part..its my mother land and die for it.

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

Comments