Bagalkot
Without naming anybody, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said the opponents of the Caste Census report are unaware of what it contains and, therefore, speaking without knowing is not a good development.
The Chief Minister, who arrived by helicopter, told media persons that speaking on the basis of speculation is not advisable. Let us first wait for the Backward Classes Commission report of K Jayaprakash Hegde and then speak about it after knowing the findings,’ he said.
The Chief Minister said he would discuss with Jayaprakash Hegde on the latter’s reported statement that the Kantharaju commission’s original report copy was missing.
Answering questions on JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and also some BJP leaders that the caste census would divide society, Siddaramaiah wanted to know if they know what the report contains.
Why should the society be divided. The Nitish Kumar government has already implemented the caste census report. Has the society been divided in Bihar,’ he asked and advised the critics to speak on the basis of facts and truth and not on speculation.
To a question on the reported criticism of the selection of BJP State President and party’s Opposition Leader in the Assembly by Aravinda Limbavali and that the choice has led to heartburn among the partymen, Siddaramaiah said the selection of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s son, B Y Vijayendra, from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community and Vokkaliga leader R Ashok as Assembly Opposition Leader has caused unhappiness among V Somanna and other BJP leaders.
Let us see the sparks caused by recent appointments in BJP leads to a bigger fire and burns the BJP. It is evident that there is resentment among BJP leaders, he said.
Siddaramaiah said those who wish to join Congress must accept the party’s ideology. We are not inviting anybody on our part. If somebody wants to join, we are willing to consider. But they must accept Congress policies and ideology,’ he said.
The Chief Minister later inaugurated the free KAS and PSI Examination Training Centre and Academy under the aegis of Veena V Kashappanavar Foundation.
Siddaramaiah said Veena Kashappanavar has a bright political future and lauded the initiative and efforts of the Foundation in providing trainings to rural students to appear for KAS/PSI Examinations. The Foundation started its training with 200 students initially and was presently providing training to 1500 candidates, which deserves support.
Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Excise Minister RB Thimmapur and MLA Viayananda Kashappanavar as well as Kaginele Gurupeeth pontiff Niranjanandapuri Swamiji and several other religious pontiffs were present.
