Mangalore: Kumaraswamy Seeks Bishop's Blessings, Lambasts Govt
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Feb 24: State JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy (HDK) was in the city on Friday February 24, and met Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza at his residence.
Later, speaking to media persons, Kumaraswamy said that it was his wife's birthday, and that he and Anita Kumaraswamy had performed 'chandika homa' in Kollur temple. They came to Mangalore to seek the blessings of the bishop, he said.
On his meeting with the bishop, he said, "The bishop lamented that the state government had not done enough for Christians and was not responding to their pleas. He has urged me to pray and work towards bringing an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the state."
On the upcoming Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll, he said that JD(S) was contesting the bypoll not for namesake, but that the party was taking it seriously. JD(S) leaders will put in collective efforts in winning the poll, he said.
"It is usually the ruling party that wins bypolls, but JD(S) despite not being a national party has given the ruling party a run for its money. Out of the 20 bypolls in the state, JD(S) has won eight and given good show in the remaining 12," he said.
'BJP govt busy with internal problems, no time for people'
Repeating his diatribe in Udupi against the state BJP government earlier in the evening, he said that the government was more engrossed in its internal conflicts and differences, and has no time to solve people's problems.
He appreciated chief minister Sadananda Gowda but lamented that in everything he does, he has to first please BJP leaders Eshwarappa and Yeddyurappa. This in turn has affected CM's functioning and he is not able to give enough time for people, he added.
"In 123 constituencies, people are suffering due to lack of drinking water facilities, unemployment and drought, but the government is busy trying to resolve its own internal differences," he said.
He further said that though there is video conferencing facility via which the CM can directly interact with his officers, it is a waste of time as the officials don't speak the truth and show fake documents. Even though nothing is done, they take the CM for a ride with their claims of having done a lot, he said.
"The CM says that there is no shortage of funds, but the people say no work is done and that nothing is sanctioned. A lot of projects were promised in the last budget, but a majority of them have not been implemented."
HDK also pointed out, "The CM alone is handling 18 to 20 ministries, so what can we expect from him?
On Yeddyurappa's reported deadline to the BJP high command to make him the CM, he said it was nothing but blackmailing. He advised the BJP to take appropriate steps to control its internal differences.
"These people (BJP partymen) should stop going to temples. In every visit, they have a temple listed in their itineraries," he lashed out.
To a query on Yeddyurappa's allegation that DVS was taking the advise of JD(S) national president Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy said that it is wrong information given to the public. "The BJP always blames Deve Gowda's family when it makes mistakes. Even back in 2008, the BJP blamed JD(S) for not transfering power to them," he said.
'DVS should Resign'
Asked who he considers the right candidate for the CM's post, he said the decision should be left to the people.
On whether DVS should continue as the CM, he said that since DVS hails from Dakshina Kannada district which enjoys a place of pride, it is better that DVS resigns and instead works with the people.
"If he has self-esteem, DVS should resign and work for the people. When he cannot control his ministers, how can he control 6 crore people?" he questioned.
"The BJP has lost its way right from the word go and has never corrected itself. It is the most useless government since independence," he said.
Asked if he would ever support BJP in the future, he said a firm 'No'.
Corporator Harish K, Rajendra Shetty, Srinivas Alva and Vasant Poojary were present.