Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 30: JD(S) state president and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday July 30 came to the defense of Alva's Instittuions and its chairman Dr Mohan Alva over the controversy surrounding the death of Kavya, a student of Alva's high school who reportedly committed suicide, and whose parents have alleged foul play.

Addressing a press meet during his visit to the district to participate in a Vishwakarma convention at Katapady, he said, said, "Alva's College has made a name for itself in the entire state. The government has the responsibility to solve the case and convey the first hand information to the people, rather than give vague statements. Some TV channels are conducting trials in their studios and giving rash judgements. This should stop. Organizations too should stop playing politics on the issue.

"Alva's College has always given importance to spots and lacs of students have benefited from the college. It provides free education to thousands. Let truth prevail. It is not easy to build an education institution of repute, but it takes only a second to slander and destroy it. Dr Mohan Alva is already disturbed by the things that are happening, so I appeal to the media to restrain from causing him further distress."

He also lashed out at the BJP and the Congress and said that instead of developing the state, the two parties, especially in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, were busy creating rift between people.

"No development works are happening in the state. The coastal districts have always been known for development, but of late, clashes are happening here between people. All kinds of untoward things are being reported in these districts. The adminstrative machinery is being misused to create tension among people and disrupt peace.

"Never before did Dakshina Kannada see Section 144 being imposed for so many days. But the chief minister is behaving as if it is not related to his government at all. DK district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai is a minister for namesake only. But unfortunately, such rubber-stamp ministers are being given important portfolios like the home affairs," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah has said that advisor to the home minister Kempaiah is important to run the administration. He should explain how exactly," he added.

"Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are capable of developing on par with Bengaluru. These districts have all the resources to become big, advanced cities. But if you look at the contribution to development of both the national parties here, you will see it is not much. The government should have given more attention to the development of coastal districts," he said.

Attacking the Congress state government further, he said, "Congress leaders are claiming that they have fulfilled almost all the promises made in their manifesto and doing publicity in the name of several 'bhagyas'. But they are not bothered about the drought situation in the sate. Compared to other districts, farmer suicides in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are practically non-existent, because farmers here are able to face troubles with spirit and courage. But the coastal region is also facing lesser rains than expected and rivers are not full. The CM should not be bragging about providing drinking water in such a situation."

On the St Aloysius road renaming controversy, he said, "Elected representatives in Mangaluru are playing double game in the matter. Why is there so much politics over preserving the name of Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty? There have been suggestions that the road could be equally divided by naming it after both St Aloysius and Sunder Ram Shetty. Why are elected representatives giving such advices? The government needs to take a firm decision and enforce the same. By playing so much politics, public anger is further fuelled."

Commenting on the issue of sand mining, he said, "For four years, the state government has been unable to come up with a separate sand mining policy for the coastal districts. The DC was attacked by illegal sand miners a couple of months ago, still, to this day, we do not know what action has been taken on this. If the government cannot protect its officers, then how it can protect the common people? Earlier, the sand was cheap, but now at the rate of Rs 30,000 per load, how will the poor construct houses?"

Attacking the BJP and the Congress, he said, "BJP is trying to ruin the nation. Congress MLAs are being hijacked in Gujarat, and Congress has complained to the Election Commission about it. Congress did the same to JD(S) by luring S M Krishna - so now it is getting a taste of its own medicine. What moral right does Congress have to complain to the EC? The number of police personnel guarding the Congress MLAs in Bengaluru resort seems to be even more than the security provided during the clashes in Bantwa."

To a question on JD(S) being weak in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, he said, "Yes, I am aware of it. In the next election we will have candidates in every district. The two national parties are strong here because they play with the emotions of people."

On the state flag controversy, he said, "The state already has a flag and people respect it. What is the necessity of forming a committee to have a separate flag? Why has this issue come up at all?"

He also slammed the state government on non-usage of a portion of the funds for backward classes and minorities and said that AHINDA was only for namesake and a political tool used at the time of elections.

District JD(S) president Yogish Shetty, JD(S) women's wing president Shalini Shetty Kenchanur, Bojegowda, Vasudeva Rao and Anitha Shetty were present.