Sadananda Gowda slams Shiv Sena, NCP on Belgaum

During his visit to the residence of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar, who celebrated his 57th birthday on Saturday, he told mediapersons here that the government has a clear stand on Belgaum issue, and Belgaum Municipal Corporation was superseded for its anti-Kannada activities there.

Speaking in Mysore, the chief minister said he will meet Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray at an appropriate time to discuss the issue.

“All issues can’t be sorted out politically. Sometimes it is necessary to use personal relations to resolve issues,” Gowda said. He also said that he had spoken to Maharashtra chief minister to take measures to protect the interest of Kannadigas living in the neighbouring state.

When asked whether he would support Shettar to become the chief minister, the ever-smiling Gowda replied: “Why chief minister, let him become the prime minister”.

On defeated bill

Earlier at Hubli Airport, Gowda made light of the defeat of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (second amendment) Bill, 2011 in the Assembly on Friday. Generally, the bill passed by the Upper House would be passed in the Lower House also, but Friday’s case was different as the number of MLAs present there was less, he said.

“We will see that no such incident takes place again. Defeat of a bill is not the defeat of Sadananda Gowda. I am optimistic, and am not shaken by the criticism. MLAs are with me, and I will win the election to be held for the Legislative Council seat,” Gowda said.
There is no failure in implementing drought relief works in the State, he added.