A day after Governor H R Bhardwaj advised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to address drinking water problems and take up drought-related works in rural areas, KPCC President G Parameshwara on Saturday said the Governor’s advice should not be mistaken to be a negative comment as he (Bhardwaj) wanted the government to be more effective in dealing with drought.
Speaking to reporters after meeting veteran Congress leader and former Union minister C K Jaffer Sharief here, he said the Chief Minister has to take the suggestions given by the Governor seriously and act accordingly. “Drinking water and drought-related works are very important and they should be taken up on a priority basis. The Governor has brought to the government’s notice what he has seen in rural areas and it should not be taken in a negative sense,” he added.
Parameshwara’s statement has gained importance in the wake of a spat between the Governor and the Chief Minister over drought management. It is said that Bhardwaj had expressed his serious displeasure over drought management in rural areas and reportedly advised Siddaramaiah to give attention to it following complaints about Ministers not monitoring drought-related works in their respective districts.
Parameshwara said there are a number of aspirants for the Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Council seats, but the party would select only those who have made significant contributions to the party.
When asked about the change of guard in the KPCC after the announcement of the Lok Sabha results on May 16, Parameshwara said he is not aware of any such move.
When asked about rumours of appointing a Lingayat or a Vokkaliga to the post of the KPCC president, he said, “I don’t think the party high command will make someone the State party president on the basis of caste since our party is a secular party and always believes in taking all communities into confidence”.
Replying to a question, he said he has no information about his possible induction into the State Cabinet. Parameshwara expressed confidence that Jaffer Sharief would remain in the Congress Party. “We have requested him to remain in the Congress”, he said.
Meanwhile, Sharief said he met Parameshwara only to invite him for the wedding of his grand daughter.
“As of now, I have decided to remain neutral in politics. I am not aiming the seat either in the Rajya Sabha or the Legislative Council”, Sharief said.