Describing BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as “more megalomaniac and authoritarian than Indira Gandhi”, Samaja Parivartana Samudaya founder S R Hiremath claimed that it would be disastrous for the country if he becomes the prime minister.
Hiremath told reporters here on Monday that the very nature of Modi is “divisive” and the secular fabric of the country would be “at stake” if he comes to power.
“People of my age have seen how Indira Gandhi abused power and imposed Emergency on the country. Similar days are expected if Modi comes to power,” Hiremath said.
Modi and the BJP are “anti-democratic” and they would not auger well for a country like India, which respects and encourages diverse opinions. The media has to play a critical role in awakening the public and keep a tab on Modi, Hiremath said.
Sticks to His Gun
Reiterating that Governor H R Bharadwaj is soft on tainted ministers in the Siddaramaiah government, Hiremath said moving court would be an option once he gets convinced about the “inaptitude” of the Governor and the Chief Minister.
“Allegations made against Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundurao are not mere accusation and they are open and shut cases in the court of the law. A long rope was given to Siddaramaiah to act against them, but his response until now has been disappointing”, he said.
Releasing documents on encroachment of government land by Dinesh Gundurao and his family members to the media, he said, the government has been sitting on the order of tahsildars on reclaiming the encroached land.
The AT Ramaswamy Committee report has indicted the Gundurao family of encroaching upon around 47 acres worth over `550 crore. It is a clear case of the fence eating the crop. If Dinesh does not own responsibility, Siddaramaiah should expel him from the cabinet, he said. Action should not stop at forcing such elements out of the cabinet. The encroached land should be recovered and criminal investigation conducted, he said. The government should also recover the ill-gotten benefits of the encroached land from these persons, he insisted.