Opposing passed Bills meaningless, says Shettar

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has termed “meaningless” the decision of the Opposition parties to approach the Governor against the Bills passed during the State Legislature session in Belgaum.

He said the Opposition parties did not utilise the opportunity to have a debate on the pros and cons of the Bills.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday, Shettar said the Opposition did not move a no-confidence motion against the government, as they were aware that the BJP government had a clear majority.

Action against 14 MLAs

He said, “All the BJP MLAs and ministers are with the government and the party’s central leadership will take a decision on the action against 14 MLAs who took part in the KJP convention held in Haveri.”

Speaking about the Cauvery issue, the chief minister said the Karnataka government had approached the Cauvery River Authority against the order of the Cauvery Monitoring Committee, and the next hearing is on January 4.

‘No RSS hand’

In a reply to former MLC Vijay Sankeshwar’s allegation on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) interference in the BJP affairs, Shettar clarified that the RSS never interfered in the functioning of the party, as both were independent bodies.

“RSS gives suggestions only if we approach it. As a chief minister, I have not come across any interference by the RSS in the work of the party or government,” he said.

Shettar, however, declined comment on Minister Umesh Katti’s statement about a possible separate statehood for the North Karnataka region after 20 years, and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s hope to become the chief minister again.