JOIN US“The bypoll should not have been necessitated and is of no use to anyone. Though Congress was not interested, it had to field its candidate to conform with principles of democratic governance,” Parameshwara said here on Tuesday. He was in the city to take part in the election campaign.
However, the KPCC president said Congress has considered the bypoll as a matter of prestige and Union ministers from the State will take part in the campaign.
“The ruling BJP has become a divided house. The possibilities of a mid-term poll in the State are very high. The present government may collapse any time,” he said.
Several investigation agencies have been probing illegal mining in Bellary. Former minister G Janardhana Reddy and others have been arrested in connection with the irregularities. The turn of events has tarnished the image of Karnataka. Former minister B Sriramulu, a director of Obulapuram Mining Company indicted for illegal mining, is contesting the poll and the electorate should convey a strong message by rejecting the corrupt, Parameshwar said. He demanded a CBI probe into the plundering of natural resources in Bellary.
‘Futile exercise’
Labelling the upcoming Bellary bypolls as “meaningless”, JD(S) State Unit president H D Kumaraswamy said: “Since we have decided not to contest in the bypoll, the need to either support or campaign for anyone does not arise.”
Addressing mediapersons in Hospet on Tuesday, Kumaraswamy said: “The Bellary bypoll is a mere status symbol considering that the result will create ripples in the State’s political scenario leading to the fall of the BJP government.”
The voters shall teach a fitting lesson by rejecting both the political parties in the bypoll, he added. After the completion of the Bellary bypoll, efforts will be directed towards strengthening the JD(S), keeping in view the elections to be held in the future, Kumaraswamy said.
‘Strengthen Lokayukta’
Taking note of the unfolding of events in the State, the need for a strong Lokayukta gains momentum. The institution of Lokayukta can be strengthened through the appointment of an honest Lokayukta, he said.