Karnataka - Madikeri   

Only MLAs matter in JD(S): A.K. Subbaiah

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI, OCT. 9. The Janata Dal (Secular) has become defunct outside the legislature, senior vice-president of the party State unit, A.K. Subbaiah, said here on Friday.

He told presspersons that the 58 party MLAs had become "everything" as the decision-making body of the party had ignored senior party leaders, including himself. "It is not just me, but all leaders, other than the MLAs, are of the opinion that all is not well with the party," Mr. Subbaiah said.

He said the issue would come up for discussion after the Bidar byelections. He said no leader in the party was consulted when N. Thippanna was appointed State unit president of the party. He said he was still the party leader in Kodagu and the notion that he was on his way out was wrong. Mr. Subbaiah blamed K.B. Shantappa from Virajpet for attempting to "destroy" the party in the district. He would take up the matter with party leadership. He said Mr. Shantappa had been allegedly misusing the name of the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, to mislead a group of party workers in Kodagu.

Probe demanded

Mr. Subbaiah urged the Government to hand over the case involving certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which received foreign funding in the guise of forest and wildlife conservation, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the dealings. He was referring to the activities carried out by Ullas Karant and his team.

He said he was aware of the correspondence carried out between the NGO headed by Mr. Karant and the foreign funding agencies, which could hamper development if it was allowed to continue. "Foreign powers" could have access to the natural wealth of the nation in the garb of conservation. The Government must take steps to stop all foreign funding forthwith.

He accused some NGOs of bringing the issue of land tenures, including "Jamma", to the notice of the Central Empowered Committee, which visited here recently, to look into the rubber plantation lease cases.

The same persons had attempted to spoil the tree rights movement in the district, he alleged.

Appeal to the IGP

Mr. Subbaiah appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (Southern Range), Kempaiah, to withdraw the protection given to the pontiff of a math at Ammathi in Kodagu, who had "trespassed" into the plantations held by the members of Chowrira Kodava family.

The police presence amounted to violation of the High Court order, which had ruled status quo in the land lease case, he added.

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Only MLAs matter in JD(S): A.K. Subbaiah

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