MLC A H Vishwanath
Credit: Special Arrangement
Mysuru: MLC A H Vishwanath on Thursday said it is unfortunate that the Congress high command is doing politics in death, too.
Addressing a media conference here, he pointed out that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi did not condole the death of former chief minister S M Krishna, who brought laurels to the Congress as Union minister, CM, deputy CM, Speaker and also governor.
Vishwanath said, the Congress treated its former leaders, late chief minister D Devaraja Urs, late prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao, V P Singh and Chandrashekar, similarly. "Even the then Congress Andhra Pradesh government did not behave appropriately when Narasimha Rao died. Fortunately, the Karnataka government, led by CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, gave a fitting farewell to Krishna,” he added.
Vishwanath, now with the BJP, was in the Congress for nearly four decades.
Vishwanath said, Krishna’s contributions for the development of Karnataka and welfare of the people should be acknowledged. “They were impetus to the growth of Information Technology and Bio-Technology industry, Ring Road of Mysuru, Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway, introduction of mid-day meals (Akshara Dasoha), Stree-Shakti self help groups and Yashaswini healthcare scheme. The contributions of Siddaramaiah should also be acknowledged similarly in future,” he said.
In response to a question on the Panchamasali demand for reservation, under 2A category, Vishwanath said there is a need for a review of the castes under the particular category.
He said, “There were 15 castes initially. Now, it has increased to over 45. The needy and the deserving are not getting the benefits under the 2A category, as many ineligible people have got the caste certificates earlier. Social justice and welfare should not become a lip-service. Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa chants the Ambedkar and Constitution mantra continuously. But, it should reflect in his deeds. He should take steps to verify, if the benefits are reaching the needy and deserving”.
Vishwanath also criticised the BJP in Karnataka and said that it has neither ideals nor principles. In response to a question on the BJP’s support to the Panchamasali quota movement, Vishwanath said, such caste-based movements create suspicion and divide in the society. He appealed to the seers of mutts, of all communities, not to create rift and unrest in the society.