Government politicising ZP reservation norms: JD(S)

JD(S) leader H D Revanna on Thursday accused the government of politicising the fixing of reservation matrix for the posts of presidents and vice presidents of the zilla panchayats in Karnataka.

Addressing reporters, he said the government had murdered democracy. The reservation matrix has been fixed in such a way that it benefits only the ruling party. It has meted out injustice to the Opposition parties.

“I dare Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil for a debate at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. I am ready to retire from politics if he proves the reservation has been fixed as per the rule book,” he said.

Revanna’s wife Bhavani is Hassan zilla panchayat member from the JD(S). As the JD(S) secured the majority in the zilla panchayat, she was a strong contender for the president’s post. But the government has drawn up the reservation matrix in such a way that she will not be able to become the president.

Without mentioning about his wife, Revanna accused the government of targeting the JD(S) in Hassan district. “I know how the ruling party leaders have conspired against the JD(S) in Hassan. I will expose everything at the right time with all documentary evidences,” he warned.

Asked whether the JD(S) would sever ties with the Congress in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike where both the parties have formed an alliance, he said his party would not stoop to that level. The JD(S) has helped the Congress when it was in difficulty. Instead of reciprocating by extending a helping hand elsewhere, the ruling party is trying to create problems, he said.