In another jolt to the crisis-ridden Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S. Suresh Kumar resigned on Saturday following allegations that he suppressed facts in an affidavit he produced to obtain a Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) site in Bangalore.
Mr. Kumar, who is perceived to be a man with a clean image, submitted his resignation to Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda. However, Mr. Gowda said he would not accept the resignation immediately.
Mr. Kumar, who is the leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly, denied the allegations. “I am ready to face any inquiry to bring out the truth. I have resigned to save the party and the government from embarrassment,” he said.
Allegation
On Saturday, a section of the media published a story quoting RTI activist and BJP worker S. Bhaskaran, who produced documents in support of his allegation, that Mr. Kumar’s mother and daughter owned two sites when the latter obtained a G category site (under the Chief Minister’s discretionary quota) in Bangalore in 2011. Mr. Kumar had suppressed this information, the RTI activist claimed. Under the rules, an individual is not eligible for a BDA site if he or his close relatives own a site or house in the city.
Mr. Kumar, addressing a press conference, said that when he submitted an application to the BDA in June 2009, his family did not own any other site in the State. His mother and daughter purchased two sites in Nelamangala only in December 2009. He asserted that he did no wrong in obtaining the G category site, measuring 4,000 sq. ft, in the upscale Raj Mahal Vilas (RMV) II Stage. He had refused a G category site that was offered to him by the S.M. Krishna government because he had a house at that time, Mr. Kumar said.
Mr. Gowda said, “I have received the resignation, but have not accepted it. What has appeared in a section of the newspapers is far from the truth.” “I have explained to the Chief Minister the reason for resigning, and hope he will accept it since I have assured him that I will return to the post once my name is cleared,” Mr. Kumar told mediapersons here.
He said his mother, a retired teacher, sold her house here and two sites in Nelamangala on the city’s outskirts, which does not come under the BDA, including one in the name of his daughter, to buy the present house at Sharada Colony in Basaveshwaranagar. The house is registered in his mother’s name, he added.
This clause of 'no other property' was inserted during the days of Urban Land Ceiling Act,1976.Now that the said Act has been repealed by the parliament as it was hampering the growth of housing industry this provision of 'no other property' be done away with.The current thinking is that the housing sector be encouraged even for rental properties.If people are not allowed to have more than one property how can they invest in properties for renting out.This provision is antiquated and archaic. This should be abolished retrospectively.
Mr.S.Suresh Kumar is known for his integrity and honesty. He has been a Social worker for the past so many years. If the sites owned by his mother and daughter are in Nelamangala Town, out side Bangalore, why should he declare this to BDA. BDA has its own rules, if any one flouts the rule it is for BDA to answer, not the applicant.
Suresh Kumar is a clean personality right from the beginning of BJP rule in Karnataka. He did not take sides at all. He represented the party at critical times. He is a Minister with a difference. As good as he has surrendered the property allotted to him by the Yedayurappa Govt. his resignation should not be accepted and he should be allowed to continue in the Ministry. This is only an error of judgement by him as he himself has claimed. He is also not enjoying the benefit of the property now.
Even in this episode, one should appreciate the quick response of Mr. Sureshkumar of surrendering immediately the plot and resigning. How many politicians today have acted like him? Which political party has persons like him, who acted like him? So, even in this episode, one has to admit that, persons like Sureshkumar ,are rare these days. Those who talk against him, better search their own hearts, before doing so.We need Suresh like people in the Government,inspite of this unfortunate act which he ought to have not done..
Please Email the Editor