Dist admin, EC favouring Sangh Parivar, says KKSV

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)

April 25, 2013

Mangalore, Apr 25: Members of the Dakshina Kannada district unit of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (KKSV) have alleged the State Election Commission and DK district administration of exhibiting double standards with regard to enforcement of the election model code of conduct. The organization has also termed the Deputy Commissioner a “slave of Sangh Parivar”.

Addressing media persons at a news conference in Mangalore on Thursday, Suresh Bhat Barkrabail, District President, KKSV, said that the district administration prohibited Milarges Parish Committee and Talent Research Foundation from holding 'Souharda Sangama' and 'Milad Awards' programmes citing participation of politicians in the event amounting to violation of model code of conduct. However, no action was taken on the three day 'Ramothsava' programme organized by units of the Sangh Parivar even though politicians and election candidates of a particular party were seen openly participating in the programme which also featured RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat giving a speech on issues that revolve around agendas of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar, Mr. Bakrabail said.

Two complaints were submitted to the Deputy Commissioner in this regard, one of them well in advance of the commencement of 'Ramothsava'. Representatives of KKSV met the Deputy Commissioner to discuss the matter and the DC even assured them of action in case of violation, but the district administration has not kept its word, Mr. Bakrabail alleged.

“The Deputy Commissioner said that permission was given to 'Ramothsava' purely on the basis of it being a religious programme. Video recording of the programme would be carried out and if politicians are found taking part in the programme, action would be taken against them. Banners of the programme will also be removed as no permission has been granted to put up such banners. These were the assurances given by the Deputy Commissioner but now it seems both him as well as the Election Commission have displayed clear double standards”, Mr. Bakrabail said.

P B D'Sa, member of KKSV and People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said that during the discussion, the Deputy Commissioner claimed that he was “not aware of what Sangh Parivar is”.

“He said he does not know what Sangh Parivar is. Such are our IAS officers. This is what the country has come to. He is a slave of the Sangh Parivar”, Mr. D'Sa said.

Even though complaints were made with the district administration through the 1077 election helpline about 'Ramothsava' banners still being featured at different places in the city, no action was taken, Mr. D'Sa said while claiming that most of those banners have still not been removed.

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‘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.

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