CM backs Tangadagi's stand, says DC's transfer was routine

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that Minor Irrigation Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi has informed him that his brother did not commit any illegality in the construction of a bungalow in Koppal district.

When his reaction was sought to the controversy over construction of the bungalow on  land allegedly encroached upon by the minister’s brother in Koppal, Siddaramaiah said: “The minister has informed me that there is no illegality.”

When pointed out that the former deputy commissioner of Koppal Tulasi Maddineni had found irregularities and that the minister had ensured her transfer from the district, the chief minister said, “When a new government takes charge, transfer of officials does take place. She was deputy commissioner for two years.

“Hence, she has been transferred,” he said indirectly supporting the arguments of Tangadagi.

Asked whether Congress leader Digvijay Singh, in-charge of Karnataka affairs of the party, has sought a report on the Tangadagi case, he replied in the negative.

Asked whether there is any proposal to create a deputy chief minister’s post, Siddaramaiah said that he was not aware of any demand to create such a post or plans by the party to provide with a deputy.

When his attention was drawn to the demand for a separate agriculture budget by some farmers’ groups, the chief minister said that presenting a separate document does not mean anything unless there is budgetary support. He said he would be presenting the budget on July 12, the day the legislature session begins. 

While interacting with the media, Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa said the party high command is not trying to rein in the government  by setting up a co-ordination committee. He said the committee is yet to be set up. Senior leader M V Rajasekharan had made some suggestions to the high command.

“We welcome the suggestions. There is no Congress and Janata Parivar groups in the cabinet. We all belong to the Congress,” he said.

Sources in the party said that Singh, in his report to be submitted to the party high command on Karnataka, may favour the creation of a deputy chief minister’s post going by the opinion of office bearers of the KPCC. Even KPCC president G Parameshwara is keen to be in the cabinet, it is said.