From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 17: Deputy chief minister and higher education minister, Dr C N Ashwath Narayan declared that chief minister B S Yediyurappa is the party’s leader and contended that he was not an astrologer to predict the future.

Speaking to reporters in Ramanagara after inaugurating the non-Covid Rotary BGS Hospital on Thursday, he refused to comment on the speculation over the change in leadership in the state. "Chief minister Yediyurappa is our leader," he asserted.

Dr Narayan made it clear that BJP national general secretary and state party in-charge Arun Singh and state party president Nalin Kumar Kateel have already declared quite categorically that there will not be any change of leadership in Karnataka.

The deputy chief minister said the focus of the deliberations with Arun Singh and the state party leadership is development. "There is no need to attach any special significance to Arun Singh’s visit or his meetings with party leaders in the state," he said.

"Consultations among leaders are part of the democratic process. In our party also such consultations do happen. He (Arun Singh) is meeting different people and eliciting their views.

Dr Narayan made it clear that he was not interested in making any statement on the question of a change in leadership.

"If somebody says something, please ask them. I am not an astrologer to predict the future or say what will happen in the coming days," he said declining to comment on the statements of tourism and environment minister, C P Yogeshwar or that of rural development and panchayat raj minister, K S Eshwarappa.

Answering questions, he said the focus of the party and the government is development. "We have started preparations for the next assembly elections in 2023,’’ he said.

No plans to contest from Magadi

"Our party has definite goals and its own strength. Our party will decide what needs to be done. Whatever differences there may be, will be resolved. The government is running under Yediyurappa’s leadership. I am a minister in his cabinet. Whatever statement on reorganization or revamp will lead to complications and create trouble. Therefore, I don’t want to speak on the issue,’’ he declared.

He said the chief minister has entrusted him with the responsibility of being the in-charge of the Ramanagara district and declared that he has no plans to contest from the Magadi assembly constituency in the next election.

"I am very much comfortable in the Malleswaram assembly constituency. I am also serving the people of Ramanagara as district in-charge minister,’’ said Dr Narayan, who belongs to the dominant Vokkaliga community and Magadi as well as Ramanagara district has a sizeable Vokkaliga population.

Dr Narayan said he was unaware of who made the statement that he was preparing to contest from Magadi. "If somebody says it, it is better to ask them. I have no such intentions,’’ he said.

"I do not know whether I will continue as Ramanagara district in-charge minister. I cannot predict the future. I am sincerely discharging the responsibility entrusted to me by the Chief Minister,’’ he declared.

Rotary BGS Hospital

The deputy chief minister, who is also the state Covid Task Force chief, said the Rotary BGS Hospital in Ramanagara is meant for providing quality treatment to the common people of the district. The facilities in the hospital have now been revamped and more facilities are now being offered. The hospital has ICU and ventilator system, he said and promised to provide 15 ventilator monitors in his personal capacity.

The revamped hospital ensures that common people need not rush to Bengaluru for treatment as they have the opportunity of getting quality medical treatment in Ramanagara itself. A maternity and pediatric hospital is also being set up.

Dr Narayan said he has requested Sri Nirmalananda Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt to take the initiative to establish a super speciality hospital in Ramanagara in order to ensure that even ordinary people can get quality medical treatment.

Ramanagara deputy commissioner, Rakesh Kumar, zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Ikram and district superintendent of police, Girish were also present at the function.