Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jul 28: Chief whip of the state Legislative Council MLC Ivan D'Souza on Friday July 28 lashed out at the opposition BJP for criticising the Siddaramaiah-led Congress state government over various issues and said that the BJP was interfering in Congress' internal matters, especially on reported appointment of Ramanath Rai as home minister, as it had no other issue of importance to raise.
Addressing a press meet here, Ivan said, "BJP leaders Eshwarappa and Jagadish Shetter are wandering here and there without any issues to raise against the Siddaramaiah-led government. So they have started to speak about the internal matters of Congress.
"Day by day our state government is going forward with people-friendly programmes. The development projects and various schemes introduced by our government have gained popularity among all sections of the people in the state. Now the BJP leaders have realised that the people are not with them. So they have started to engage in passing comments on Congress party's internal issues.
"Now BJP is worrying about Ramanath Rai's appoinment as home minister. The appointment of ministers is a matter that is decided by the chief minister and the Congress party. We do not want BJP's advice on this. Ramanath Rai is an able person for any post in the cabinet. Earlier he had handled the home ministry and he has experience of handling various departments in the government. BJP leaders have no right to comment on his ability. They should first discuss and settle their internal issues," he said.
Defending the government's call to have a separate state flag, he said, "The idea of the state flag came after requests from Kannada literary figues, writers and various pro-Kannada organisations. Siddaramaiah acknowledged them and assured a detailed study on this matter. He then formed a committee to discuss the matter. I do not know why BJP is distressed on this matter. They say 'one nation one flag', but why do they salute the Kashmiri flag in Jammu Kashmir? Why are they ruling Kashmir with a separate flag? Till 2006, their parent organisation RSS did not hoist the National Flag at their national head office in Nagpur. Why is the BJP silent on this matter? At the time of elections, BJP had promised the people of Nagaland that they would get their own Naga flag. Why is BJP showing such double standards?"
"BJP is forgetting nationalism in issues related to Cauvery, Yettinahole and Mahadayi rivers. In Kolar BJP supports Yettinahole project, but in Mangaluru, the same people oppose it. This is a common practice for BJP and their leaders.
Still, they claim to be a disciplined party. But by their deeds and remarks, it is clear that BJP is the most indisciplined party in India. Their nationalism is only for name sake to gain publicity. Congress is the only party with real nationalism. Our party participated in the agitation against the British for independence. Our leaders and members went to jail during the freedom struggle. But BJP leaders and members went to jail for corruption. So on what basis are they trying to teach us about nationalism?" he said.
To a question on the St Aloysius College road renaming issue, "It is a matter between two managements. I hope it will resolve soon without further complication. I do not have any objection to renaming the road in the name of Mulki Sundar Ram Shetty. I have a lot of respect on him."
It may be mentioned here that Ivan D'Souza had participated in the protest held by St Aloysius Institutions against the renaming of the road and promised to raise the issue in the legislative session.
Prior to the press meet, Ivan distributed an amount of Rs 5,69,244 from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to beneficiaries.