JOIN USLeader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar charged that Water Resources Minister M B Patil is irresponsibly behaving as if Sri Shivakumar Swamiji of Siddhaganga Mutt is lying on the issue of separate religion status for Veerashaiva-Lingayat.
“Who gave Mr Patil the power to speak on behalf of the pontiff? He should publicly apologise to the pontiff, and should step down from the post of minister,” Mr Shettar said.
He told media persons here on Friday that the Congress leaders are unnecessarily blaming the Sangh Parivar in this issue.
Seers and other non-political personalities should discuss and launch the struggle on this issue. But, ministers are raising this issue, as they are instigated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It is political tactics by the Congress, he alleged.
‘Suitcase culture’
In reply to Hampi Kannada University Vice-Chancellor Mallika Ghanti’s allegation about corruption in Vidhan Soudha, Mr Shettar charged that Congress government is looting the public money, while ‘suitcase culture’ is rampant in last four years. If needed, a complaint on corruption issue would be submitted to the Governor, he added.
MP Pralhad Joshi stated that ‘suitcase culture’ is prevalent in the appointment of vice-chancellors also.
In reply to the criticism against the bullet train project of the Union Government, Mr Joshi said, “UPA government was running mere trains (lies), and we are running true trains, that too bullet trains”.