BSY should come clean, says Acharya: Interview, Deccan Chronicle

The veteran BJP leader from Udupi, is someone who has a clear perception of party affairs in Karnataka and does not mind speaking the truth though at times, he gives the impression of being stubborn. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Dr Acharya spoke about the crisis in the party, possible solutions and the controversial bill pertaining to the endowment department.

Q: Some leaders including state BJP president K.S. Eshwarappa and Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda have admitted to problems in the party. According to you, what are the problems?
If I am right, the problem is very simple. Party central leaders have told B.S. Yeddyurappa (former chief minister) to come clean in all the cases pending against him. They have told him that he cannot hold any post while facing charges. If he heeds this, everything will be sorted out.

But the situation does not look simple. Mr Yeddyurappa says that he has not demanded any post, nor does he want any. Yet, his supporters keep meeting at his residence to demand his political rehabilitation. Is groupism not affecting the BJP?
I do not think so. There is nothing wrong in legislators and a few ministers meeting and demanding a fitting post for Mr Yeddyurappa in the party. All they are doing is expressing their opinion because BSY is a popular leader of the BJP. I feel it will only strengthen the party. Nor do I think their utterances in public will harm the party. Now that they have expressed their views, they should leave the matter to the party leadership and remain silent as disciplined soldiers of the party. Mr Yeddyurappa also seems to have reconciled to the idea that the party leadership will take care of his interests which is why he said he will function as an ordinary worker and not harm the party.

The situation seems so serious that ministers including home minister R. Ashok had to go to New Delhi and meet central leaders. Comment.


Do you know that whenever I go to New Delhi, I will not return without meeting Advaniji? Mr Ashok is the home minister. During his visit to New Delhi, he might have met party leaders. When we meet our national leaders, they are sure to ask us and obtain inputs on the situation in Karnataka. This helps them take decisions if need be, in future.

But, the differences in the party seem to be hitting the state hard. Ministers owing allegiance to Mr Yeddyurappa do not seem interested in attending office and redressing people’s problems. Take the case of public works minister, C.M. Udasi. He has come under severe criticism.


Mr Udasi is a senior minister and works very hard. The status of bad roads need not reflect on his style of functioning. There may be many other factors responsible like the allocation of funds and rules governing clearance of projects. He has to adhere to rules while implementing works. He might have expressed his allegiance to Mr Yeddyurappa because, he was made a Cabinet minister by BSY. That does not mean he has neglected his work. All our ministers are working hard. Some people have created a wrong impression about me too. They said my ill health is affecting my performance. It is unfortunate that the media is not interested in giving the right news.

Moving on to departmental issues, one of the bills of your department was defeated in the Legislative Assembly. Do you plan to bring the bill back in the same form or will you introduce an amended version in the next session?


I will introduce the bill in the Legislative Council and get it passed before presenting it in the Assembly again. I do not know why people think it was I who proposed the bill. The contentious clause which some legislators referred to, was not introduced by me. It was part of the original legislation in which law makers had used a group of words: "temple pertinent to maths". During the court case, the judges scrutinised these words and wanted the government to clarify on it. So the government brought an amendment in the last session. I have not changed the motive of the original legislation which had excluded temples governed by maths from government scrutiny. The contentious clause was part of the legislation for the past 14 years. I am bringing an amendment with a clarification as suggested by the court.

I can act tough: Acharya

The soft spoken doctor, who took over as home minister two years ago, has had a stormy innings so far with his handling of sizzling controversies including the church attacks and the acts of moral policing leaving a lot to be desired. Probably one of the most criticised ministers in the state Cabinet besides the Reddy brothers of course, Dr V.S. Acharya has stoically taken it all in his stride knowing quite well that the public outcry would die down sooner than later. This trusted associate of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa spoke to Bhaskar Hegde about the law and order situation in the state and police reforms.

Excerpts from Deccan Chronicle

You will soon be completing two years in office. Looking back, how do you rate your performance as home minister?

I am pretty satisfied. The law and order situation should not be gauged in isolation. If you were to take into account the situation prevailing across the country, we are definitely better off. Several initiatives have been launched including the modernisation of the police force and the internal security wings including ATS, ANF and Coastal Security Force. I am confident that in a year or so, there will be perceptible changes.
There does not seem to be any perceptible change at the grassroots, be it corruption or the problems in ensuring a speedy and fair investigation into controversial cases.

We just cannot wish away corruption. We are implementing several measures like filing e-complaints which can put an end to the misuse of power. I agree that there is an urgent need to clamp down on corruption but this has to start from the top. We are trying to be a role model on that front. Take any parameter like crime detection rate, recovery rate and conviction rate, Karnataka’s performance is far better than other states.

Caste and cash deals seem to be playing a big role in the appointment and transfer of officials.
We have introduced a new system wherein everyone should function in both executive and non-executive posts. We have set up a Police Establishment Board which will take care of police transfers. Transfer of officials above the rank of deputy superintendent of police, is done through the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR). I have to admit that there is a lot of pressure on us. We are implementing changes, slowly though.

Coming to the issue of security, the city has witnessed two bomb blasts in two years. They were low-intensity bombs which ensured the damage was minimal. Would you admit that you have failed to come up with a fool-proof strategy to secure the IT hub of the country?

We are facing logistic problems. Some of the accused were trained in Kerala. They come here, finish their assignment and go back. They don’t do it there. I would still assert that compared to Mumbai or any other north Indian city, we are much safer. Of course, there is a lot to learn once a major incident like a bomb blast happens. The blasts at Chinnaswamy stadium have forced us to put in place a new protocol. In future, we will take over the entire premises when a match or an important event is happening, not just the ground or the galleries.

Aren’t you going to fix responsibility and take disciplinary action against senior officials to send out the message that they cannot be caught napping like this?

The investigation has just started. We have to complete the investigation before fixing responsibility.

The Opposition had accused you of being soft, naive and a proxy home minister. Do you feel you deserve to be described in this manner?
I have been tough when the situation demands such an approach. I do not have to be assertive and make a show of it. If someone is saying I am not assertive, I can give an example to counter them. Which home minister would refuse to extend the deadline for the city’s night life despite all the pressure to do so? It show how strong I can be. And I am no dummy. In a democratic set-up, crucial decisions are taken after consulting the Chief Minister.

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