Under employed opposition leaders...

Karnataka minister VS Acharya tells G Vishnu, Tehelka that he never put pressure on the Lokayukta to give a clean chit to the CM

• Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hedge claims you were present when former Union minister V Dhananjaya Kumar asked him not to indict Chief Minister BS Yeddyurrappa in his forthcoming report on illegal mining. Is it true?
  It is true that I met Hegde at his house in Bengaluru but I didn’t discuss any political matter. Dhananjaya Kumar didn’t make any such statement in my presence. I have high regard for Hegde. His father (Justice KS Hegde) was a senior BJP leader. I have never asked him for any favours.
• What is your comment on the Congress allegation that Santosh Hegde is corrupt.
  Congress leaders are underemployed and don’t know what to do, hence spewing nonsense is their preoccupation. We don’t know why the Congress is attacking Hegde. They always have a hidden agenda. They deliberately projected Chief Minister Yeddyurappa as a villain to hide their own sins. We have all seen how the Commonwealth Games, 2G spectrum and the oil scams consumed the country. People in Karnataka have repeatedly vouched for our performance. We care a hoot for what the Congress says.
• • In the Lokayukta’s previous report on illegal mining, former Congress CM Dharam Singh was also named.
    Dharam Singh’s involvement only dates back to five years ago but the Congress has been exploiting iron ore reserves in the state for 30-40 years now. They began with charging extra premium for the iron ore dust. The Congress has a long history of exploiting resources for its own use. They were the first to export iron ore at the cost of government companies. The Congress policy itself is all about creating bankruptcy. Name any state in the country, the Congress has looted resources there. Be it Karnataka, Odisha or Madhya Pradesh, the raw materials were exploited, exported, completely ignoring the value addition that could have proved beneficial for local industries. Better gain and employment creation is completely ignored. Congress agents have always exported ore at throwaway prices.
  • Is the BJP trying to pressurise Hedge into not naming Yeddyurappa? He has given suggestions to that effect. Rumour has it that you are among those who put pressure.
    Hegde is a person whom we consider with great respect. All this is a media creation. I don’t know what Hegde has said. I have been meeting him since 1975. I never used any meeting to push my own cause or political purpose. The last time I visited his house was six months ago to invite him for a function. No one can doubt my integrity.
  • The Lokayukta has asked for security cover for his staff once the report is out. What kind of threat are they facing?
    I’m not aware of that. If he has asked for security, he should be given protection. Anybody, whether it is a government servant or a private person, if they are feeling threatened, they need to ask and we will give them protection.
  • Do you acknowledge that there exists a powerful mining mafia in the iron ore belts of the state?
    I don’t know about the mining mafia. Today, the atmosphere in the country is fragile. There are a lot of security issues. So let us not limit ourselves to Bellary.
  • 
    The BJP made an unsubstantiated allegation regarding the wealth of Deve Gowda. After Kumaraswamy went on a fast, the remark was withdrawn. Didn’t your party lose face?
    Instead of raising valid issues, they are attacking a good government. Our governance is so good that people are repeatedly electing us and I don’t think there is anything worth pointing out in what the Opposition is doing
  • G Vishnu is a Correspondent with Tehelka.
    vishnu@tehelka.com

‘The alleged scams in Karnataka are small change’

interview by G Vishnu/ Tehelka (Excerpts from Tehelka)

You arrived in New Delhi before Yeddyurappa did to meet with National Executive members. We hear that this was to prepare the ground support for Yeddyurappa.
There is gross misunderstanding of the situation in Delhi. We have come here to clarify things, to correct the picture. There was a lot of confusion and anxiety over land obtained from the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), which facilitates land for entrepreneurs. The Chief Minister himself has said that if there have been illegalities, they will be rectified. He offered to return some land and he did.

There is a tradition of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) availing land under the G category. Yeddyurappa was only following in others’ footsteps. Everybody pounced on us, saying that it is a crime to have allotted plots to MPs who already own property in Bengaluru. Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) MPs have manipulated this in far worse ways, even as they had 4-5 houses in the city. There might have been improprieties. When Congress leader Dharam Singh and JD (S) supreme HD Deve Gowda were in power, they distributed land amongst several relatives. They have no moral ground to sling mud. On what ground does Deve Gowda cry foul? This is just dirty politics. Two years back, they betrayed us on the seat-sharing agreement. What credibility do these parties have? If you expose the deeds of JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, when he was running a minority government, the list of illegalities will be skyhigh. Kumaraswamy is the villain in this story. He can never be the hero.

If this was the case, why do you think there’s been such an unprecedented uproar in the media as well as the civil society?
The media is acting as if they do not know anything that happened in the past. It is getting very selective in reporting on the BJP. There might have been mistakes, errors in judgement, but to highlight only our mistakes is vicious. Is it just? Is it dharma? Let’s talk about everyone’s mistakes.

In the last two years, this is the third time the government has come close to falling. Report after report highlights various scams…
Our time is not right. Maybe it’s our fate that every year we have to be plagued by one allegation or another. Perhaps it’s only when we are plagued by allegations that we are alert. I need to say this, specifically to media organisations like TEHELKA; in a democracy, elections decide the popularity and the strength of a government. We have faced seven types of elections in the last three years. We have won every single time - from Lok Sabha elections to local panchayat elections. And the opposition parties cannot tolerate our popularity. Why don’t you (media) understand this? Look at the popular sentiment in Karnataka. People are happy with this government.

What about the infighting within the party? Hasn’t it gotten a little too ugly? Dissidents within BJP are brazenly attacking the government. First the Reddy brothers, now Ananth Kumar…
First of all, everybody is happy with Yeddyurappa’s governance. He has been an efficient chief minister. Today we are in second place in the country as far as development is concerned, next only to Gujarat. As for the dissidents, they are just a handful in number. For instance, I asked the BJP president Nitin Gadkari if anybody from the national executive body had asked Yeddyurappa to resign. He completely denied it. He said this drama is because of media speculation. Now the media don’t make up things on their own. Of course, there are insiders who are stoking the fire for their own reasons. We ourselves are looking for answers. If it’s not the dissidents, we will just blame the media for this brouhaha. The immediate stand within the party is to save the party, save the government and save the image of the party. Everything will be done to that end.

So politically speaking, what are the corrective measures the party wants to take up?
The question of corrective measures arises when there is something wrong. There is nothing wrong in the party. However, what we can do is leave the past behind and concentrate on efficient administration and development. Be it government or corporate sector, there’s always scope for improvement. It’s a competitive world. If we can send a green signal to the Centre that everything in Karnataka is fine, things will be fine.

Most observers have commented saying that BJP has no moral ground to cry foul on Congress’ 2G scam. The mining scam in Karnataka is often quoted…
What mining scam are you talking about? We are the first government in the country to have stopped export of iron ore. It is very clear. As soon as we got the first report from Lokayukta, we changed our mining policy immediately.

2G scam is one of the biggest national level scams. Please don’t compare it with this…It’s a fraud that puts to shame even the Bofors scandal. All the alleged scams in Karnataka are small change compared to the earthquake of 2G spectrum scam.

Evidence vital for filing a case!

Bangalore, May 18, DHNS

Home Minister V S Acharya on Tuesday said the State government is unable to take action against Sri Rama Sena Chief over the alleged “rent-a-riot” case, as the news channel which conducted the sting operation has not furnished a copy of the unedited cassette/CD. “A day after the private TV channel broadcast its sting operation, the government asked it to provide a certified copy of the unedited cassette/CD. But they have not provided the cassette yet. Once we get the cassette/CD, we will verify its authenticity and take appropriate action,” he stated. Even in the Mangalore pub attack case action could not be initiated against the culprits, as none of the victims came forward to lodge a complaint, he added. When questioned about the government not taking suo-motu action against Mutalik for reportedly negotiating money for organising a riot, the Home Minister said the police would look into those aspects of the issue. “Suo-motu action can be initiated, when the police finds concrete evidence against any person, who threatens to harm any individual or the society,”he stated.

ಓದುಗರೊಬ್ಬರ ಪತ್ರ...

ಆಸ್ಟ್ರೇಲಿಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಲಿಯಲು /ವಿದ್ಯಾಭ್ಯಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದ ಭಾರತೀಯರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹಲ್ಲೆ ನಡೆಯುವಾಗ ನಮ್ಮ "ಮಾನವ ಹಕ್ಕು" ಪ್ರತಿಪಾದಕರು ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ?
ಎಲ್ಲಿಂದಲೋ ಬಂದು ಸತ್ಯ ಶೋಧನೆ ಮಾಡುವ / ಪಬ್ ಭರೋ ಎನ್ನುವ ರೇಣುಕ ಚೌಧರಿ ತನ್ನ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಸ್ಟ್ರೇಲಿಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲ್ಲೆ ಆಗುವಾಗ ಏಕೆ ಬಾಯಿ ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದಾರೆ?

ಮಟಮಟ ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ಶಾಲೆ ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿ ಪಬ್ ಗೆ ಹೋದ ವರಿಗೆ ತರಾಟೆಗೆ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡಾಗ (ಪೆಟ್ಟು ತಿಂದವರು ಇನ್ನೂ ದೂರು ನೀಡಿಲ್ಲ!) ಮೊರಲ್ ಪೋಲಿಸಿಂಗ್ ಎಂದು ರಂಪ ಮಾಡಿ ಅಂತಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೆರೆದ ಡೋಂಗಿ ಮಾನವ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಪ್ರತಿಪಾದಕರು, ಪೀತ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯ ಮಾಲಕರು ಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಆದೇಶದ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಂಧನವಾದಾಗ/ ಪೊಲೀಸರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪುಂಡರು ಹಲ್ಲೆ ಮಾಡಿದಾಗ ಪೊಲೀಸರು ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಂಡರೆ ಗಲಾಟೆ ಎಬ್ಬಿಸುವ Transparency International/ PUCL, ಅನುಮತಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಮುದ್ರ ತೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಾರ್ಲಿ ಚಾಪ್ಲಿನ್ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸ ಹೊರಟಾಗ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರ ವಿರೋಧವನ್ನು ಅಪಹಾಸ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿದ ಬುದ್ದಿ ಜೀವಿಗಳು ... ಪ್ರಚಾರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಯಾರು ಯಾರಿಗೋ ಚಡ್ಡಿ ಕಳಿಸಿದ ತೆಹೆಲ್ಕಾದ ನಿಶಾ ಸೂಸನ್ ....ಈಗ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?

For some Page 3 newspapers(!), pub attack/moral policing/sending unsolicited undergarments to others/ Charles Chaplin statue in Baindoor become front page news for days together, but attack on Indian Students in Australia is Page 6 news!

(letter by one of the blog readers Satish Kuntikaana, edited)

ಪಬ್ ಧಾಳಿಗೆ ಸ್ಕೆಚ್, ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದನೆಗೆ ಬೆಂಬಲ? ಇದೇನಾ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ಸ್ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ?

All is not well in Congress! click on the image for report in English
ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ಸ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಸರಿ ಇಲ್ಲ...

ಒಂದು ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ

News on 28th Feb 2009...ಇದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಏನು ನಿರೀಕ್ಷೆ? ಇದೆ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ಸ್ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ!
Everyone knows the sponsors(political+religious) of Tehelka...Now Tehelka reaches the all time low by launch of Pink Chaddi campaign...If you are hurt by thier antics, mail to the following address...One can not get away, by hurting the sentiments! (all of a sudden the addresses/logo from their blog have disappeared!- what are they afraid of?) However, if you wish to see the addresses of those involved in this dirty campaign, click here...(oops... the link has gone offline...so here it is...The Pink Chaddi Campaign,C/O Alternate Law Forum,122/4 Infantry Road(opposite Infantry Wedding House)Bangalore 560001KarnatakaContact person:Nithin (9886081269)Divya (9845535406)Nisha ( 9811893733)Vivek(9845591798)Ratna (09899422513)

09.02.2009, Kannadaprabha

ಪಬ್ ಧಾಳಿಗೆ ಸ್ಕೆಚ್, ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದನೆಗೆ ಬೆಂಬಲ?

ಆಫ್ಜ್ಯಲ್ ಗುರು ನಂತವರ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ...

ಇದೇನಾ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ಸ್ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ?

Congress party workers oppose anti terror campaign at college campuses...indirectly in support of terror activities?
Bangalore police identify mastermind behind serial bomb blasts
Bangalore, Feb 5 (PTI) Police have identified the mastermind behind the July 25 serial bomb blasts last year in the city and the investigation has reached "final stage," Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya said today."Culprits of the July 25 serial bomb blasts have been identified. The investigation into the case has reached the final stages. Our police officials will soon share the details," Acharya told reporters here without elaborating.Asked whether the terror suspect Sainudeen alias Abdul Sattar, whom the Hyderbad police arrested and handed over to the city police gave clues leading to identification of the gang, he replied in the negative."The gang is not from Hyderabad. But from another state. I can't give more details than this," Acharya said.Meanwhile, highly placed sources said a 12-member terrorist gang had executed the low intensity serial bomb blasts which claimed two lives and left at least six others injured.Acharya said he was not aware about the progress of investigation into the December 2005 terror strike at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in which an Assistant Professor of Delhi was killed and two others injured. (PTI)
Karnataka govt warns Srirama Sene
Bangalore, Feb 5 (PTI) The BJP government in Karnataka today warned the Srirama Sene, which threatened to "marry off" couples found dating during Valentine's Day, saying "if they take law into their hands, law will take its own course".
"They (Sri Rama Sene) are unnecessarily taking law into their hands. If they take law into their hands, law will take its own course," State Home Minister V S Acharya said, hours after Sene founder Pramod Muthalik said his men would oppose Valentine's Day celebrations and marry off couples found dating.Referring to the Sene activists' attack on a pub in Mangalore on January 24, Acharya claimed that preliminary investigations pointed to the involvement of some Congress leaders.The girls whom the Sene activists assaulted have been identified, but they refused to lodge formal complaint or share any details, he said, adding police continued their investigations.Acharya claimed that a Congress leader, who is also a Sene activist, has been found absconding since the event occurred. (PTI)
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Konkani Federation Day report