Shamanur's allegations completely baseless: Patil

In a strong attack against veteran Congress leader and Davanagere South MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Karnataka Home Minister M B Patil said that he will be 'forced to reveal how a commission agent rose to such a high position' if he does not 'mind his words'. Patil was responding to Shamanur's comment that Lingayat movement leaders received unaccounted cash during the protests.

“This is a completely baseless allegation. The rallies, conventions and the entire movement was organised through donations from followers,” Patil said.

Speaking to media persons at Hubballi airport on Sunday, Patil said that many have forgotten how Shamanur tore the ‘Form B’ of a Muslim candidate whom the Congress party had selected to contest from a constituency, and how he became the candidate.

Warning Shamanur of revealing more details, Patil said that he had made a pact with himself of not speaking about the Lingayat issue after taking charge as a minister. However, he is being forced to break it, as ‘inconsequential’ persons are making baseless allegations against him and also the leaders who were involved in the Lingayat religion movement, the minister said.

“Shamanur built his education empire under Bapuji Educational Institutes by suppressing and cheating others,” Patil accused.

"Separate religion status for Lingayats is to establish our identity. It will continue in the coming days. Till now, the demand was in the form of agitation, henceforth it would be fought legally. The Lingayat Mahasabha and other leaders involved in the movement will continue its fight,” he said.

Implementation of Auradkar report

The Home Minister said that the government is committed to implementing all the recommendations made by the Additional Director General of Police Raghavendra Auradkar. A decision in this regard would be taken at the cabinet meeting soon. “Constables are the backbone of the Police Department and the government is committed towards the welfare of the lower rung officials.” The department has chalked out several plans in this regard and the constables' grievances will be addressed at the earliest.

The police department will witness major changes in coming days, he added.