Karwar: “The words used by Uttara Kannada MP Ananthkumar Hegde indicates his culture. He portrays himself as an icon of Hindus but uses words which do not suit civilised people,” said Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy while criticising Hegde.
Addressing a convention of Congress-JD(S) workers before the filing of the nomination papers by Congress-JD(S) coalition candidate Anand Asnotikar to contest from Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency in Karwar on Thursday, Kumaraswamy said that Ananthkumar Hegde arrogantly speaks about changing the entire system of constitution which ensures equal rights and protection to every citizen.
Questioning Hegde’s contribution to Uttara Kannada after getting elected for five times, Kumaraswamy alleged that Hegde had always focussed on his political growth rather than that of the constituency.
He claimed that Hegde had given false information to the people regarding loan waiver. “In fact, Rs 181 crore has been released to 43,000 farmers through nationalised and cooperative banks. We can also send the documents related to this to him if he has some doubts,” the CM said.
MLAs Shivaramegowda, Khanapur MLA Anjali Nimbalkar, MLC Ghotnekar, Congress leader K G Naik, leaders Sharada Shetty, J D Naik, Shashibhushan Hegde, Mankalu Vaidya and other Congress and JD(S) leaders were present.
Hundreds of Congress and JD(S) workers participated in the convention held at Maladevi Ground. Later, the leaders took out a rally in a special bus upto the deputy commissioner’s office (returning officer’s office) where Asnotikar filed his nomination papers.
Forest encroachers
Later speaking at a press conference, Kumaraswamy said that the forest officials always put forth various legal barriers whenever the State government plans to take action against forest encroachers. Amendment of laws have to take place at the Union government level to deal with the issue. But Hegde has no time to think of such delicate issues as he is always engrossed in activities which break the society.
He said that H D Deve Gowda and Vinaykumar Sorke had discussed the matter of Forest Rights Act while they were MPs in 1992. After the discussions, it was decided to transfer 53,000 acres of land of the forest department to the revenue department. But the Union government had not brought it into effect till today.
“A five-time MP, Hegde never discussed the problems of forest dwellers in the Lok Sabha. What is his contribution to the constituency except thrashing people and sending innocent people to jail? Such people do not have the moral right to question me,” Kumaraswamy lashed out.
‘Please forgive me’
Kumaraswamy also said that he was sorry for not visiting the district though he had assured the people of the district during the Assembly elections of solving the forest encroachment problem within two months of having come to power.
‘No differences’
When questioned about the absence of District In-charge Minister R V Deshpande during the filing of the nomination paper, Kumaraswamy said that Deshpande was engaged in some other work and there were numerous other leaders from the Congress representing the party. He clarified that there were no difference of opinions among the coalition partners.