Join hands to curb terror activities: Deputy CM

Reshuffling of portfolios will be done within a week, says Eshwarappa

Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa called upon all patriotic people to join hands in curtailing terror activities in the State.

Speaking to media persons on his arrival to temple town on Saturday, the Deputy CM said the recent arrests of 11 persons in Hubli who have links with terrorist organisations has left behind many suspicions to be unearthed.

Stating that it is obvious that the terror activists are supported and trained by the people abroad, he said the Centre too has applauded the operation done by Karnataka police in detecting the terror suspects.

“Irrespective of party differences, all people should come together and fight against terrorism and also prove that the whole state is one in fighting terrorism,” he added.

Eshwarappa also said that BJP is confident of winning more than 150 seats in the forthcoming assembly elections as measures have been taken to strengthen the party from booth level unlike earlier.

He also said that Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna coming back into state politics will have least impact on BJP.

“Krishna Saratya” will be unsuccessful as it is already proved earlier when 2/3rd of his ministers were the losers against BJP candidates,” he said and added that Congress and JD(S) have no future in the State as both parties are dependent on individual leaders unlike BJP which is cadet based organization, he said.

Former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda made it clear that he is not in the race for the party’s president post and he is open to work for party in whatsoever position that is offered by the party’s high command.

Stating that the reshuffling of the portfolios will be settled within a week, he said that all issues have been discussed with Dharmendra Pradhan.

Later speaking at Manipal Arogya card distribution programme to as many as 7,500 beneficiaries, the Deputy Chief Minister said government is committed to offer education and health benefits to the needy.

Chief Minister Relief Fund is one such programme. The Bill approving amendment of Land Reforms Act Section 94 C is passed and is before the Governor for approval, he added.

He said that there are as many as 39 different categories of fishermen communities and measures to consider all these groups under the provision of Category 1 is under deliberation.

Addressing the gathering at the convention of BJP Backward Classes Morcha, Eshwarappa said that there is need for the people of backward classes to live with confidence and ignore the extremist forces who are trying to spill hostility and create differences.

People should categorically say no to such forces and also political parties, he said and sarcastically added that today we have limited Basavanna, B R Ambedkar and Kanakadasa for particular castes as against their deeds stressing equality and fraternity.

D V Sadananda Gowda said BJP is one party that has worked immensely for the betterment of the backward classes. The Government is contemplating on setting up of separate Ministry for Backward classes.

It has earmarked around Rs1000 crores for the welfare programmes of backward classes beneficiaries, he added.