Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Revanna has come down heavily on the State government for reserving the post of Hassan Zilla Panchayat president for Scheduled Tribe (Woman). Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj H.K. Patil misused their offices to favour their political party in finalising the reservation, he alleged.
The JD(S) which won 23 seats in the 40-member Hassan Zilla Panchayat has no member to suit the ST (Woman) category. Among the 40 elected members Shwetha Devaraj of Bageshpura in Arsikere taluk is the only candidate from the ST(Woman) category and she has won on the Congress ticket. The Congress which has only 16 seats in the ZP is expected to hold the post.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Revanna said, “This is the height of vindictive politics. The State Government is trying to weaken the JD(S), which won the people’s confidence in the ZP elections”. Further, he alleged that Hassan district in-charge Minister A. Manju had tried to lure JD(S) members by offering money as he wanted his son assume the post of president. As he could not get the support of JD(S) members, he got the post reserved for the ST (Woman) category, Mr. Revanna further alleged.
“The State Government should be ashamed of its act. The Chief Minister should understand that his government has gone against the people’s will. We will decide the future course of action after discussions with party leaders”, Mr. Revanna added.
