No more conflicts, only progress: CM

 The well-worn adage - “There are no permanent friends or foes in politics, just permanent interests” was proved at the Vikasa Sankalpa Utsav held here on Tuesday.

Disgruntled BJP ministers - the Bellary Reddy brothers and K S Eshwarappa shared the dais with their “undisputed leader,” Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa at the function organised to celebrate the first anniversary of BJP government in power.The ministers had stayed away from the programme previously held in Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.

“No more conflicts with anyone henceforth. I will accord priority to rid the administration of red-tapism,” declared Yeddyurappa after inaugurating the Utsav.

Disclosing that he would accord priority to cleanse the administrative machinery of corrupt clogs in the coming days, the CM said that he would take part in Janaspandana meets without any prior intimation and evince personal interest in ensuring that the benefits of the welfare schemes formulated by the government reach the needy and deserving. “Stern action will be initiated against public servants found wanting in discharging their duties,” he cautioned. The CM clarified that Utsav is not a political gimmick but an effort aimed at responding to public grievances. Such programmes will be held in each district in the coming years. Opposition Parties too have been invited to take part in the government programmes. However, they have failed to respond positively, he revealed.
Observing that lack of political will has crippled development works in the State, the CM said that the government has chalked out a plan - Vision 2020 - to accelerate the pace of progress, involving private sector. The four Union Ministers elected from the State have been appealed to contribute for the welfare of Karnataka.

Closed-door meet

Earlier in the day, ministers Karunakara Reddy, Janardhana Reddy, Sriramulu and legislator Somashekhar appeared in a group, giving room for speculations in  party workers.

A closed-door meeting was held after the Chief Minister arrived at the venue 20 minutes later.  MP Ananth Kumar, who was also present at the meeting, is said to have brokered peace, advising the unhappy ministers to co-operate with Yeddyurappa. This was evident when they appeared before the media after the meeting to display their unity. Speaking to reporters, Minister for Power, K S Eshwarappa said that there are no differences among the party members. Alleging that the Opposition Parties have been engaged in a futile attempt to dislodge the BJP government, he said that the party, after coming to power, has fulfilled several demands of the dalits and backward classes. “The Government is planning to generate 1,000 MW power this year and the State will achieve self-reliance in power generation in the next four years,” he said.

District In-charge Minister S A Ravindranath, ministers Karunakara Reddy, Janardhana Reddy, Sriramulu, K S Eshwarappa, Goolihatti D Shekhar and D Sudhakar, MPs, legislators and the party workers from Bellary, Davangere, Chitradurga and Shimoga took part in the Utsav.

Gag order issued

Even as the “dissidents” put up a show of strength at the Vikasa Sankalpa Utsav, the CM is reported to have expressed his reservation on dropping six ministers including Shobha Karandlaje from the Cabinet. According to reliable sources, the CM, in a brief “reconciliation meeting” mediated by MP Ananth Kumar held prior to Utsav, is said to have assured the Bellary ministers to consider all their demands except the one to drop ministers. The CM reportedly has asked them not to embarrass the government by venting their ire in public. It is also said that the Bellary brothers, ministers Sriramulu and Eshwarappa have welcomed the suggestion.