Karnataka - Shimoga   

Protect Indian cow breeds: Yediyurappa

Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Saturday that he would discuss with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy the possibility of introducing a ban on cow slaughter, adding that he did not want to make an off-the-cuff statement on the matter.

Addressing a press conference here, he said it was important to note that such a ban had proved to be successful in States where it had been imposed.

The Indian Cow Breed Protection Scheme, introduced by the Government last year, had evoked an encouraging response, he said and hoped that it would complement the efforts being made by the head of the Ramachandrapur Math, Raghaveshwar Bharathi, in protecting rare, pure Indian cow breeds, which were on the verge of extinction.

Coalition offer

Mr. Yediyurappa said his offer to the Janata Dal (Secular) to continue the coalition arrangement even if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a clear majority in the next Assembly elections was intended to prevent the Congress from coming back to power in the State. The offer was made with the knowledge and support of his party.

Asked why he was so keen on continuing the coalition arrangement despite knowing that JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda was not in favour of the move, he said "I do not expect him to pat us on our back."

`A conspiracy'

Asked for his reaction to reports that a woman had attempted suicide because the BJP MLA for Honnali, M.P. Renukacharya, was pestering her to marry him, Mr. Yediyurappa said it appeared to be part of a conspiracy to embarrass him.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Protect Indian cow breeds: Yediyurappa
Basavanna's followers must stay united: Malimath

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu