Rajya Sabha Member B Janardhana Poojary has alleged that the State government has violated the election code of conduct by granting suo moto powers to the Lokayukta.
Addressing media persons here on Wednesday, he said the government’s move to grant new powers to the Lokayukta when the election process for the civic bodies is on, is a clear breach of the model code of conduct.
The move has certain vested interests behind it. The idea behind avoiding MLAs and ministers from the suo motu net is to spare the chief minister himself from undergoing a Lokayukta probe, he criticised.
“Mr H D Kumaraswamy has been facing the charge of receiving Rs 150 crore bribe from the mine owners, which has been referred to Lokayukta. By denying powers to him to probe into the cases of ministers, the government has attempted to save the chief minister,” Mr Poojary alleged.
Gowda targeted
Continuing allegations against Deve Gowda family, the former KPCC president said unable to speak directly, Mr Gowda has brought his son Mr Revanna to the fore to criticise him (Mr Poojary). Here is what he replied to the allegations of Mr Revanna made on Tuesday:
“I am one among those who have fought for the major projects in Karnataka, including Kaiga, Sea-bird, Hassan-Mangalore broad gauge, international airport and the special economic zone. Let Mr Deve Gowda tell how many times he had attended Parliament sessions and asked questions there regarding the problems of the State?”
“The contribution of Gowda’s family to Karnataka is nothing. I might be a drama character, but Mr Revanna has admitted that his family is a drama company.”
“Mr Revanna said I am an ‘influential’ person. True, I have influenced for the sanctioning of all these projects, including the conversion of railway track into broad gauge. Let Mr Deve Gowda answer how much his chief minister son has brought pressure on the Union government to start Bangalore-Mangalore train service.”
“Mr Kumaraswamy claims that he has stayed in 67 villages. What kind of development he has brought in there?
Why internal reservation was not implemented? What was achieved by banning arrack sale?”
The party leaders Kallige Taranath Shetty, Harikrishna Bantwal and M G Hegde were present in the press meet.
