Speaker reminds CM to constitute SIT to probe into BSY’s audiogate

TNN

March 9, 2019

Bengaluru, Mar 9: Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said he will soon write to chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, requesting him to expedite the process of setting up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the poaching audio clip controversy involving BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa and others.

“I presume Kumaraswamy could not focus on this issue because he was pre-occupied with the groundwork for Lok Sabha elections,” Kumar told reporters on Friday. “I will write to him and remind him of the urgency of forming the SIT.”

On a suggestion from Kumar, Kumaraswamy had announced on the floor of the House on February 11 that he will constitute an SIT. Kumar was miffed since one BJP leader involved in the poaching exercise was caught on tape allegedly saying the speaker had accepted a bribe of “Rs 50 crore” to accept resignations of the coalition MLAs without hassle.

“I cannot carry this blemish on my head forever,” Kumar had said in the assembly, while advocating the necessity for a probe. “Please ensure the investigation is conducted by SIT and completed within 15 days.”

The audio clip, released by the CM to the media on February 8, has purported conversations between Yeddyurappa, Shivanagouda Naik (BJP MLA from Devadurga), and Sharanagouda Kandakur, son of JD(S) MLA Naganagouda Kandakur. Yeddyurapp and Naik purportedly try to lure the JD(S) leader by promising huge amounts of money and a minister’s post if he got his father to resign from the assembly and he (Sharanagouda) contest on the bypoll on a BJP ticket.

Kumar also said he will not take “a hasty decision” on Chincholi MLA Umesh Jadhav’s resignation and will seek legal opinion if necessary to ensure that it does not set a bad precedent.

Jadhav resigned on March 4, but Kumar is yet to accept his resignation as a Congress petition for his disqualification is pending since February 11. Siddaramaiah, Congress legislature party (CLP) leader, had sought legal action against Jadhav under the anti-defection law for defying a whip by abstaining from two CLP meetings on January 18 and February 8 and skipping five days of the assembly budget session.

After submitting his resignation to the speaker in person, Jadhav joined the BJP in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a party rally recently. He plans to contest against Congress leader Mallikarjuna M Kharge in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election from Kalaburagi seat.

The speaker said he has already served notice to Jadhav to explain reasons for his resignation and has given him a week’s time to clarify his position.

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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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