The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Shivaram gave in to pressure'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Shivaram gave in to pressure'

Special Correspondent

`Dharam Singh must order inquiry into irregularities in Public Works Department'

BANGALORE: The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, B.S. Yediyurappa, on Wednesday said that the Information Minister, B. Shivaram, has denied levelling allegations against his Cabinet colleague, H.D. Revanna, owing to pressure from the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh.

Addressing presspersons here, Mr. Yediyurappa said to safeguard his position, the Chief Minister told Mr. Shivaram to deny all charges levelled against Mr. Revanna. A Cabinet Minister holding his colleague responsible for corruption and irregularities in the execution of development works shows the differences in the Government. The Chief Minister should order an inquiry into the issue and drop Mr. Revana or Mr. Shivaram, he added.

The BJP will continue to disrupt the proceedings of the Legislature till the Chief Minister takes action against one of the Ministers or orders an inquiry into the issue, Mr. Yediyurappa said.

He said all development works have been stalled on account of differences among the Ministers and corruption in government departments.

Mr. Shivaram has stated that the officials of the Public Works Department have been demanding bribes for clearance of bills for the works executed by contractors and held Mr. Revanna responsible for the slow progress of development works in Hassan district, Mr. Yediyurappa said.

The Ministers have no respect for democratic values, he said and appealed to Mr. Dharam Singh to direct them to implement development works. He criticised the Minister for Revenue, M.P. Prakash, for not divulging details about encroachment of land in and around Bangalore.

To a question, the Opposition leader said the BJP is not in favour of elections at this juncture. "We don't want elections now. We want the Government to execute works which benefit the people," added.

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