JOIN USIronically, Yeddyurappa himself is facing prosecution proceedings over serious charges of corruption, nepotism and irregularities. But it doesn’t seem to deter him from talking about a corruption-free society.
“I extend my full support to the anti-corruption campaign taken up by Anna Hazare. The campaign is turning out to be a national movement. It reminds me of Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement in the past, ” he stated.
He was speaking after presenting the Devaraj Urs Award to Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala D Veerendra Heggade in recognition of his services for rural development and backward classes.
He said corruption has become a major hindrance for the development programmes taken up by both the Centre and State governments. Time has come for enactment of the legislation (Lokpal), he added.
At the same time, he tried to defend himself by finding fault with the Opposition. He charged the Opposition parties with indulging in a defamation campaign against him by making baseless allegations and demanded the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately take steps to enact Lokpal legislation. The Lokayukta in Karnataka will also get more powers by enacting the legislation, he added.
Veerendra Heggade said every citizen should support Anna Hazare’s indefinite fast. “We should start the fight against corruption from our home and village level. Every one of us should vow to root out corruption. I congratulate Anna Hazare for giving us the leadership,” he stated.
Good cause
Minister Shobha Karandlaje too has expressed her support to Hazare in his fight against corruption and said that this is the first good cause after independence.
Addressing reporters after a meeting with the department’s officials she said people’s feelings against corruption are being expressed through this fight. This should evolve into a big movement, she said.
There should be a reform in the present electoral system and there should be no room for money power and unnecessary campaign, said Karandlaje.