Veteran politician Kagodu Thimmappa has always been a reluctant Speaker. His recent outburst against the government is seen as pressure tactics to get into the Siddaramaiah Cabinet. But Thimmappa says his angst is a reflection of the deep pain felt after seeing a “mismanaged administration”.
In an interview with Rajashekara S and M Venkatesha of The New Indian Express, Thimmappa said he preferred to be an MLA as it gives him the flexibility to speak out. Excerpts
What made you hit out at the government? Many say it is timed ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle later this month
It was a spontaneous outburst and a reflection of pain deep inside. I have said what is happening in the government. There should be a transparent system. How long can you continue to cheat people?
I come from a land reforms movement (Kagodu Chaluvali). Now my only wish is to ensure regularisation of bagair hukum (cultivation of government revenue land) and forest dwellers’ lands. A cabinet berth is not even in the back of my mind.
At this age, how can I tolerate such governance? What are we here for? Have we come here to party? It pains me to see such mismanaged administration.
People today are more informed and sensible if the government doesn’t respond to their needs. Do you think they will keep quiet?
Haven’t your statements embarrassed the government and the party?
There is no embarrassment to anyone. They should understand the pain with which I am saying it. I don’t want anyone to go through such a pain. Not a single file is moving in the government. What I have said is a fact. Let them (government) say I am wrong; I have no problem with it.
Did anyone from the government approach you after the outburst?
Yes, some people came and asked me why I made such a statement. I told them I have said the truth. I have not made corruption charges against anyone.
CM Siddaramaiah is an experienced administrator. Why is it happening in his government?
This is what hurts me the most. For the first time, a genuine backward class leader has an opportunity to complete five years (as the chief minister). There is no strong opposition within the Congress unlike when Devaraj Urs and other backward class leaders were CMs. He is the whole and soul of the Congress and the government in the state. Such being the situation, he should have outdone Urs in giving good governance. He has given new programmes, but they are not reaching the people. I don’t know why this is happening with Siddaramaiah.
Did you ever express these views to the CM?
Why should I? As a Speaker, I cannot go and meet the CM. Moreover, the Chief Minister has said his government is proactive and responsive to people’s problems. Let us see what he does. My intention was to bring in something good. Are we here to make money?
There were reports that you are joining the ministry?
I got elected on a Congress ticket. I have accepted the position given to me. In fact, I had clearly told the CM that I am happy being a mere MLA. I never asked or aspired for any post.
The government is dilly-dallying in giving sanction to Lokayukta to prosecute corrupt officials. What is your view on this?
If the Lokayukta seeks prosecution, the government should immediately sanction it. Not giving permission shows weakness in the administration. Are we here to graze donkeys?
Delays indicate favouritism and nepotism to help a few. If one has a good intention to provide clean administration, one should have given sanction for the prosecution.
A few legislators say you are too tyrannical.
It is wrong and those making the allegations are prejudiced. I give opportunities to newcomers. But not many are interested in participating in debates.
They don’t seem to have the instinct to get involved in the proceedings. In the past, people involved in public life came up through struggle. Nowadays political parties give tickets and they get elected. There is very little commitment to get involved in problem-solving or addressing people’s issues. There are, however, a few promising youngsters.
As a speaker you are expected to exercise restraint. But you not only took on the judiciary but also threatened officials not to implement court orders to evict forest encroachers.
There is a jurisdiction for all wings of the government — judiciary, legislature and the executive. We have to do our job without stepping into the others’ jurisdiction. It is the job of the legislature to make laws. The judiciary can only interpret the law and not make a new law.
That is the job of the legislature. How can anyone sit quiet when someone is trying to override this?
Opposes Caste-based selection
Despite bashing the government for its ‘lackadaisical’ administration, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa has supported the decision to scrap the KPSC probationary gazetted officers’ list, but opposed the caste-based selection for AKKA convention. “KPSC is a constitutionally created body. How can it be allowed to become corrupt? The government has taken a good decision to scrap the list. There was a need to send a signal to those involved in the corrupt system. Some (people) have to make sacrifices to put the system in place,’’ he said. The Speaker, however, criticised the government for selecting artistes on the basis of their castes. “It is wrong and shouldn’t have happened. For questioning such practices (caste system), I have suffered political setbacks. But, I don’t care and don’t compromise on my ideologies”, he said on selecting dalit artistes to an AKKA submit to be held in the US.