The Hindu : Karnataka News : Court criticism not good for Govt., says Moily

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Court criticism not good for Govt., says Moily

Staff Correspondent

HASSAN: Referring to the recent criticism by the Karnataka High Court against the State Government while quashing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed against the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, the former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily on Tuesday observed that such a development is not good for the image of the Government.

Speaking to presspersons here on his way to Koppa, Mr. Moily said the dismissal of the PIL petition and the direction of the court to execute the project forthwith as originally conceived is a "serious caution" to the Government against taking the law for a ride. Repeated criticism by courts on various issues will badly reflect on the credibility of the Government both at the national and international levels, and investors will hesitate to invest in the State. He appealed to the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, to take corrective steps to gain the confidence of investors.

"Who will be interested in investing in the State when the coalition partner is making charges of `fraud' against the Government," he asked.

On the court's directive to prosecute the Chief Secretary, Mr. Moily said politicians should safeguard the interests of bureaucrats. At the same time bureaucrats should work within the framework of the Constitution.

He charged that the Janata Dal (Secular) has raised the issue of land grabbing in view of the byelections from the Shimoga Lok Sabha and Chamarajpet Assembly constituencies. Who is obstructing the Government from inquiring into the issue of land grabbing in and around Bangalore when the Janata Dal (Secular) holds the Revenue portfolio, he asked.

To a query on fielding a common candidate in Shimoga, he said if the JD(S) is truly secular it will support the Congress candidate, as the Congress has a stronger base in the constituency.

`Congress strong'

The Congress has regained the strength it lost when the former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Samajwadi Party led by Mulayam Singh Yadav has no presence in the constituency, he said.

When asked about the possibility of the JD(S) joining hands with Mr. Bangarappa, Mr. Moily said it will be a suicidal move on the part of the JD(S), as Mr. Bangarappa has lost his credibility. It will be a straight fight between Congress and the BJP in Shimoga, he added.

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