From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jul 5: In an enigmatic reference comparing the chief minister’s chair to the Ambari or howdah, on which the deity is carried by the lead elephant on the Vijayadashami day at the end of the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festivities, one of the most vocal baiters of state chief minister B S Yediyurappa, tourism and environment minister CP Yogeshwar said chief minister’s post was like the lead elephant that carries the golden howdah and said the task was permanent.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Monday, Yogeshwar cryptically commented that the man occupying the chief minister’s chair must be sensitive and capable with noble ideas and must be efficient.
"The chief minister’s post is not a matter of prestige or glory. It is a post that needs the person to be concerned about the welfare of the people and be sensitive to the needs of the people,’’ he said with a wry remark: "The weight of the elephant is important. What matters is that the elephant must be able to carry the howdah or Ambari till the end.’’
Indirectly referring to the recent two-day visit of the BJP national general secretary and party in charge for the state Arun Singh for meeting a diverse cross-section of leaders and senior ministers, Yogeshwar remarked that the elephant carrying the Ambari is regularly being changed. Change is a constant process in the world.
"Party high command is on the search for an elephant!’’
"Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Balaram (names of elephants entrusted with the task of carrying the golden howdah during Mysuru Dasara procession) and others have carried the Ambari. Just because Arjuna carried the Ambari, its calf cannot be entrusted to the task,’’ he said in a veiled attack against the chief minister’s son B Y Vijayendra, who has been his target of attack for interference in the Yediyurappa regime.
Yogeshwar said, "Karnataka is famous for elephants and tigers. Dasara festival is imminent and definitely a new elephant to carry the Ambari will be found,’’ he said and added: "The party high command will shortly choose an elephant to carry the Ambari.’’
"Vijayendra doesn’t hold any govt position’’
Answering questions, he declined to comment on B Y Vijayendra as he does not hold any office in the government. "I have indirectly spoken about him. But please don’t portray me as a villain against Yediyurappa because he has made me a minister in the government.’’
On the police complaint filed by Vijayendra against social welfare minister B Sriramulu’s personal assistant, he declined to comment on the issue, the arrest and release of the PA as whatever he says will become controversial. "I however do not agree with what has happened. The matter could have been resolved in a face-to-face discussion. Why do we need a mirror to see the palm?’’ he asked.
He even referred to the ongoing controversy over the possible choice for the chief minister’s post in the Congress party with the former chief minister and Congress opposition leader in the state assembly Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar as well as many other contenders in the race and said even Siddaramaiah had said he did not want the top post, has now changed his mind and angling for it.
The BJP dissident cabinet minister, who had quit the Congress party along with 16 other Congress and JD(S) MLAs to bring down the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition government to enable Yediyurappa to become chief minister, claimed: "I have done a lot to make Yediyurappa as the chief minister. But some are trying to curb me.’’
"My situation is like the cornerstone near the entrance of the temple. All the visitors leave their footwear outside and enter the temple to seek divine blessings. But nobody notices or recognises the work I did,’’ he said pouring out his pent up feelings.
Regular understanding among BSY, HDK, DKS
The minister said he was deeply pained and was not in a position to describe the (Yediyurappa) government as his government because opposition parties are calling the shots in all decisions. Even the reservation in zilla panchayat and taluk panchayats are decided by Kumaraswamy. I have suffered this type of humiliation several times. If the reservation quota or delimitations are done to suit the opposition parties, how can we survive.’’
"In this government, it is not possible to ensure social justice to the people. There is an understanding between Yediyurappa, Kumaraswamy and D K Shivakumar,’’ he said pointing out that opposition parties have died in the state.
Yogeshwar claimed that former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is facing a criminal complaint in connection with the alleged sex CD and had to resign from the cabinet, had been wronged and made a scapegoat in a conspiracy.
"I know he (Jarkiholi) is suffering because of the incident. He has been denied justice and the investigation is deliberately delayed. He is waiting for the opportune time. It is evident that he has been caught in a controversy,’’ he said chose not to reply whether it was done by the party leaders.