Sack Naik, BJP tells Siddaramaiah

The State BJP on Thursday demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sack Minister of State for Labour P T Parameshwar Naik from the Council of Ministers for getting a woman police officer transferred just because she put his call on hold.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, former minister and BJP spokesperson Suresh Kumar said Naik had no moral right to continue in office as he had exceeded his limits by getting the officer transferred for a petty reason.

While addressing Congress workers on Tuesday, Naik had boasted that he had got Deputy Superintendent of Police of Kudligi sub-division in Ballari district Anupama Shenoy transferred for putting his call on hold. Shenoy was transferred nine days ago to Indi taluk in Vijayapura district. Then, Naik had denied any role in her transfer. Naik had even said he would resign if it was proved that he had got Shenoy transferred.

“As labour minister, Naik should all the more have compassion for employees and officials. His move in getting Shenoy transferred has demoralised the police force. We demand that the chief minister now remove Naik from the Council of Ministers,” Kumar said.

He also sought a clarification from DG&IGP Om Prakash that Shenoy had been sent on OOD (on official duty). “The minister says he got the police officer transferred, while the head of the police force says she has been sent on OOD. Who should we believe?” Kumar asked. Kumar said Om Prakash ought to have come to the rescue of his subordinate.