Kundapur: Suresh Kumar Tries to Patch up, Halady Firm on Resignation
Aishwarya Beejadi
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (RD)
Kundapur, Jul 16: In a bid to patch up and pacify Halady Srinivas Shetty, who was denied cabinet berth in the Shettar government after being promised one, state law minister Suresh Kumar on Monday July 16 visited the residence of the disgruntled BJP MLA and held discussions for nearly three hours.
Following the discussions, Suresh Kumar spoke to the media and expressed hopes of reconciling with Srinivas Shetty and his supporters.
"The discussions were fruitful and I tried my best to convince Halady Srinivas Shetty. We are hopeful that our partyworkers will agree and not disspoint us," he said.
However, he did not reveal the details of what transpired in the talks with the MLA.
On the threat by Karnataka Un-Aided School Management Association (KUSMA) to close schools for a week in protest against government's insistence on Right to Education (RTE), Suresh Kumar said that the schools must provide compulsory education and they will not be allowed to shut down. "The government will not bend before KUSMA," he declared, adding that the schools will have to follow the guidelines set by the government.
"Out of the total 1,800 schools in the state, 400 schools are functioning in Bangalore. If the school authorities fail to follow RTE, they will have to pay a fine of Rs 1 lac and face a prison term of three months," he warned.
No change in decision, will not be lured by money - Halady Srinivas Shetty
On the other hand, MLA Halady Srinivs Shetty also spoke to reporters and said that he will not change his mind on resignation, especially as it may hurt his supporters. He also said that he will return to his constituency after submitting his resgination papers.
He, however, refused to reveal the details of his meeting with Suresh Kumar.
He further said that he will not be lured by money and that his respect was of utmost importance to him. "Even if I borrow money, I will not cheat my lender," he said.
"Even though I am going to resign, I will not speak ill about any person in the party. I will not ask MLAs of undivided Dakshina Kannada district and local representatives to resign for my sake, as they have their own future to take care of, and I have no right to jeopardise their political careers," he said.
"My party has never deprived me of opportunities, but I am saddened by the whole episode. I have been away from the media glare, and I find it hard to believe that all this is happening to me."
He also thanked the voters in his constituence and the party activists for their support which he said had brought him to this level.
"I believe in democratic governance and have never been a slave. I am only resigning from the post of MLA and will decide about the party later," he added.
The Third Finance Commission task force committee chairman A G Kodgi, state BJP youth Morcha president Sunil Kumar, local BJP leaders and activists were present.