Govt, officials must act on the wishes of majority says HDK

State JD(S) President H D Kumaraswamy said that the government and its officials must not act to satisfy small groups of people, but a majority of them. Intellectuals should remain critics of the government and debate on its failures openly.

Kumaraswamy who took part in a discussion in Mangaluru with intellectuals, religious heads and enlightened citizens on Tuesday, said voters must not just vote once in five years and rest saying that their responsibility is over. Instead they have to create an environment where the government can truly act according to their wishes.    

"The coastal people desire for peace in the region. Violence is fomented by a few people only.  When the peace of the region is disturbed, it is the government's responsibility to restore it. The chief minister should have met with various leaders of social groups and worked out a compromise in favour of peace. If he had discussed the matter with people like you, I am sure a solution would have emerged. What is the problem for him to do so? " he asked.  

Kumaraswamy said that changing the Constitution is impossible as Dr B R Ambedkar has made it so robust. "No government can change the Constitution," he added in reply to a question.  

A chief minister is not the CM of a particular party or community. He is protector of all communities and their individuals. "When a faith or belief is under attack, it is the responsibility of the government to take action and douse the flames," the former CM said.    

He said that he was chief minister for 20 months and there was not a single communal flare up during his tenure. "If I am elected as CM again, peace and tolerance in the Karavali (coast) will be a priority for me. Even if it is an MP or MLA fomenting violence, I will take action against him and put your fears to rest. You have given all a chance, now please give me an opportunity," he pleaded with the audience.    

Kumaraswamy said that a scientific decision needs to taken in the case of the Yettinahole project as there is drinking water shortage in Kolar and Chikkaballapur. "But that does not mean that the project will be implemented in a way that it affects Karavali people. It will be done in an environment-friendly manner.    

What is Yettinahole project?  

Yettinahole project involves construction of eight small dams, at Yettinahole, Kadumanehole, Karihole, Hongadahole and two more on its tributaries. From here, the water is pumped to three delivery chambers and again lifted to Haravanahalli reservoir near Sakaleshpur, from where it flows downward towards Tumkur.