Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
New Delhi, Nov 6 (IANS) Commenting on alleged efforts by the Congress-led government in Karnataka to control the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the state government has “never said it intends to control the RSS”, adding that “permission has to be taken to organize events in public places”.
The Deputy Chief Minister said, “We never said that we will control the RSS.”
Speaking to the media in New Delhi, Shivkumar answered questions on this issue.
When asked about his alleged efforts and statements to control the RSS, he replied, “We ever said that we will control the RSS? We only said that permission has to be taken to organize events in public places – this applies to everyone.”
Shivakumar clarified, “Where did we mention the RSS? This issue was already being discussed publicly. According to a directive issued by the BJP government led by former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, when it was in power in the state, anyone wishing to organize a public event would have to take permission. We never said that the RSS cannot organize events.”
When asked whether the High Court’s order dismissing the appeal petition questioning the stay on the government order in this regard was a blow to the state government, he said, “There is no blow to the government. We will sit with our legal team and discuss the matter.”
“We respect the judiciary,” he underlined.
Speaking about the Mekedatu project issue, Shivakumar said, “They are planning to form a separate bench to look into it. A date will be fixed, and let’s pray that justice is done to our state.”
He also announced that “Strict action will be taken against those who are not active in Karnataka’s signature campaign against voter fraud”.
Asked whether protests would be held in Karnataka over alleged voter fraud in Haryana, Shivakumar said, “Of course, we will. We have already collected lakhs of signatures. We will take them to Delhi on November 9.”
He said, “I will discuss with the block presidents of the Congress. Strict action will be taken against those who have not worked actively in this campaign. AICC general secretaries have directed that those who fail to properly discharge their duties in the signature campaign should be removed from their posts.”
He said, “I will discuss this with the Chief Minister and will also inform the MLAs.”
Shivakumar said, “Voter fraud is a serious national issue. We have already collected around 70-80 lakh signatures in our state. Some MLAs and block level Congress leaders have not taken it seriously – strict action will be taken against such persons.”
“I will submit my report. I have the power to remove party block presidents from their posts. Regarding MLAs, I will inform the Chief Minister and AICC leaders will give instructions,” he said.
Asked why the Election Commission was not taking allegations of voter fraud in Haryana seriously, especially after similar cases were reported in Karnataka and Maharashtra, Shivakumar said, “In a democratic system, people are supreme. We are making them aware about these issues, and they will take the right decision at the appropriate time. We are keeping the citizens informed about what is happening in the country.”
He concluded, “We know what happened in Bengaluru South constituency – we (Congress) lost there. Let’s not discuss my own assembly constituency now; Rahul Gandhi himself is presenting to the public evidence of irregularities in other constituencies.”
–IANS
mka/khz