Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Mar 20: “Are you putting an end to Lokpal in the country like you did to Lokayukta in Karnataka?” asked Opposition leader Kota Srinivas Poojary venting his anger at Mallikarjuna Kharge who did not attend any meetings held to elect Lokal during the last five years.

Speaking in Udupi he said that Anna Hazare had campaigned for Lokpal by sitting on protests. “The dream of the people in the country has become a reality. But Congress should make its stand clear in connection with Lokpal. Seven meetings were held in five years regarding implementation of the Bill. Even though Mallikarjun Kharge is not the opposition leader, he was invited to the meeting. PM Modi had invited him considering him as Congress parliamentary leader. But he did not attend even a single meeting,” he said slamming Kharge.

“It is not known if Congress is in favour of the Bill or against it. Mallikarjuna Kharge should make it clear immediately. He has neglected the meetings during all the seven times. He should answer now if he neglects the Lokpal Bill. You have put an end to Lokayukta in Karnataka. Are you thinking of putting an end to Lokpal in the country?” he asked Kharge and Congress.

Why did Kharge remain absent?

“Opposition party leaders are the members of the committee formed for appointment of Lokpal. But as Congress did not win necessary number of seats in last Loksabha elections, Mallikarjuna Kharge was not given the position of opposition leader. Kharge was the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha. He was invited as special invitee regarding appointment of Lokpal. Kharge remained absent saying that he will not attend as special invitee,” said Kota Srinivas Poojary.

‘You have not made Coastal districts any better’

“You have not made the coast any better by your talk conducive to your position of chief minister. People will not support your family politics,” said Kota Srinivas Poojary reacting to the statement made by CM H D Kumaraswamy that people in the coast are ignorant and they vote for Modi.

Asking the chief minister what was his contribution to the coast, he said, “People in Udupi have revolted against you. Do you insult coastal people because they did not vote for you? Withdraw your statement and apologize.”

“Family politics does not work in the coast. You have not made the coast any better. Speak what is suitable for the position of chief minister. You were unjust to coast in your budget. Did you forget MLAs from the coast sitting on protests in front of Vidhana Soudha? No chief minister has insulted the coast as much as you did,” he said criticising the chief minister.

“Udupi is leading in education and health sectors. The family of Deve Gowda is not responsible for the progress of the coast. What has Revanna given to the coast from PWD? What have you given for development of port as the chief minister? Coastal people do not value your family politics. Educated people do not vote for your party. They will teach a lesson to JDS candidate in the elections. JD(S) cannot win majority seats by your talk,” he said.