“You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!” What Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, told the Rump Parliament in 1653 applies with comparable moral force and political urgency to Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. His refusal to leave office in the face of mounting evidence of corruption and misconduct marks a new low for standards of probity in public life. With the Lokayukta scheduled to submit a report detailing his involvement in illegal mining on Wednesday, the Chief Minister is running out of excuses. The question is no longer whether he is a liability or asset to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which while taking on the ruling United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre on issues of corruption and wrongdoing has been thoroughly exposed on the very same issues in the southern State. What is at stake is the right of the people of Karnataka to have a government that inspires confidence, a government that is not hand-in-glove with the corrupt and the greedy, but will act without fear against, for example, those engaged in illegal operations in the mining industry. This is not the first time Mr. Yeddyurappa is in the dock: following the wrongful de-notification of lands and allotment to his family members, Governor H.R. Bhardwaj gave sanction for his prosecution in January 2011. The Karnataka High Court last week upheld the Special Lokayukta Court's order to take cognisance of charges against the Chief Minister in the land scams and allowed the Lokayukta police to inquire into them.
With his extraordinary skills in political manipulation, the Chief Minister has so far managed to ride out the storm each time he found himself in trouble, whether in dealing with dissidents in his own party or in thwarting the designs of a hostile Governor. However, this time he may have run out of luck. His continuance in the job will not be tenable once the report on illegal mining is submitted to the government by the Lokayukta, the retired Supreme Court judge, N. Santosh Hegde. Self-evidently, Mr. Yeddyurappa cannot sit in judgment over a case in which he is among those facing charges. According to Mr. Hegde, the report is a “voluminous study that has thousands of supporting documents” and could be used as “material evidence” in the case on this subject before the Supreme Court. But in the first instance, the Karnataka government must take action on this issue, and it cannot do so with Mr. Yeddyurappa at the helm. Depart, the people of Karnataka must say, and let us have done with you.
Keywords: Karnataka Lokayukta, B.S. Yeddyurappa
While there are good people in our politics,there is need for more of such people, failing which the bad ones sneak in!
It is not enough to submit a report indicting the politicians for their wrong -doings and criminal misdeeds.The wealth looted and plundered should be recovered and restored to the national treaury.Also they should be permanently debarred from contesting elections.Will the govt act in this direction?
Sixteen thousand crore rupees of Karnataka's wealth has been plundered by rogues of various denominations. Let's get that back through whatever means possible and toss these crooks aside on the way.
A commendable editorial in the interest of upholding democracy in our country. We are fed up to see this type of shameless politicians sitting in the helm of high office Mr.Yediyurappa was saying that he would remain as Chief Minister for the full term he was elected to the Assembly. Is BJP powerful to ask him to quit the Office? The people in our country in general and those in Karnataka in particular are interested to see the the power of assertion of BJP central leadership in advising Yediyurappa to quit. The nature of Yadiyurappa is that he may dare to float a regional hindutwa party in Karnataka to stick on to the chair of Chief Minister for his continued grabing exercise!
Its unfortunate to see these developments in the BJP. I strongly believe that politicians have let India down time and again. All politicians suffer from superlative avarice and have hit the nadir of morality! A fantastic opening quote by the author of this article!
If Mrs,Sonia gandhi is widely perceived as a weak national congrees president, for some concrete resons, the top leadership of BJP also should be considered as too weak to stand up to the tantrums of a defiant chief minister. The credibility and teneability of BJP as an an alternative to the congress party precariously hangs on to the vital decision of removing a recalcitrant chief minister. Already the party's image has suffered much. How long this indecisiveness will continue, is a million dollar question.
In democracy, it is said, people's verdict is paramount and supersedes all other decisions and opinions. There are accused who are occupying the post of C.M. There are also who, in spite of being convicted, occupied and are occupying positions of power. Karnataka Lokayukta is giving report not verdict. Lokayukta has no power to try an accused and convict. It is not even Commission of Enquiry to summon and take evidence of witnesses. Moreover, B.S.Y. is blessed with people's mandate term of which extends to 5 years. In the democracy which is in vogue in our country, there is no reason why B.S.Y. should not continue.This is a unique kind of democracy where sane people and law-abiding citizens are in pitiable minority.
Whatever unjustified regrets some might have, the fact is that Yeddy enjoys the confidence of the people of Karnataka who will not let him go. He has a better image than BJP, a much better image than Sonia, a much much better image than MMS & Co. He stands taller than Santosh Hegde in his image. Gujarat needs Modi. Karnataka needs Yeddy.
Being a resident of Bangalore for the last 10 years, One can clearly see the decay of a once beautiful garden city into a concrete-trap traffic-jam filled mess. Karnataka once an industrial hub is losing out. Driving from Karnataka into Andhra or Tamil Nadu, one can instantly see this. As soon as we cross the state border into AP / TN the quality of roads improve. As always, its all parties who are responsible for this. Whether its BSY of BJP or HDK of JDU or DS of Congress. Everyone's hands are in the real estate honey pot. There were high hopes from BJP but alas they've turned out to be the same as the others. Whats the alternative?? Not sure anyone knows...
I wonder why so much hauuf-and puff even before the report is made public. All we know is that is 'speculated' charges. Ofcourse note that i am not favoring the existing chief minister. It is better for him to resign on the basis of allegtions itslf !! then prove to other parties that he is not involved in any scam. I also dont understand why the opposition is so much hell bent in removing chief minister. After all they are no saints !! they are forefathers of all corruption in the state !! they have no right to accuse chief minister in this regard. First clean up your own house before trying to clean up neighbours !!
People get the government they deserve !
No point now...the damage is already done for BJP.
All praise to the hindu for this bold editorial.the Karnataka scene at this moment is sickening. The present c.m. Came to power because he was denied the cm's position by his predecessor in office. He became the CM and the people of the state had great expectations. He has now shown undue favors to his own people forgetting his responsibilities to the state. Such a person cannot continue in office and the central govt should now step in to uphold democracy. The earlier it is done,the better.
I am one of those who feel that Justice Santhosh Hegde is not making the 'allegations' or 'noises' on phone tapping or corruption on the eve of retirement even before submission of his report for cheap reason as Sri Pandya ponits out(The Hindu of even date). Rather he is in a hurry before retirement. But does Yeddy listen, to him or Governor or his own Party Chief Gadkari? I am only reminded of the then Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri who put in his papers when the Railway met with accident in distant Ariyalur. Yeddy like people now at least step down now in the face of alround pretrial accusations and await real course of justice, to save the dignity of C.M's Gaddi.
If Dr.Manmohan Singh is widely perceived as a weak prime minister, for some concrete resons, the top leadership of BJP also should be considered as too weak to stand up to the tantrums of a defiant chief minister. The credibility and teneability of BJP as an an alternative to the congress party precariously hangs on to the vital decision of removing a recalcitrant chief minister. Already the party's image has suffered much. How long this indecisiveness will continue, is a million dollar question.
Yes. Yeddyurappa should GO if the report of STRICTURES against him in the Lokayukta is TRUE. First he should step down to save PROBITY in public life. But serious doubts and suspicions arise on the conduct of Hegde and a deep rooted CONSPIRACY is evident in the manner in which the whole episode uncovered.
[1] How can the report LEAK when it was privy to Hegde & 3 others only? [2] Hegde shall be surely aware of the culprit behind the leak? [3] {a} Hegde'S anxiety and hurry in defending Krishna stating the External Affairs Minister is not indicted in the report & {b} the vey fact he is taking part in PRESS MEET show his behaviour is NOT above suspicion? There are strong indications to show Hegde has, in collusion with some Central Ministers, involved himself in this CONSPIRACY to expose Yediurappa. We demand the resignation of YEDIURAPPA as well as HEGDE too.
If you followed Delhi based 'national' media, you might have only heard of 3 things: a) land scams. b) illegal mining. c) why isn't he resigning. Here we go with some thought provoking questions, not in any particular order, while leaving the conclusion to yourself ...1. How many channels screaming Karnataka,Karnataka, told you that Sonia Gandhi won from the same mine district Ballary? Has anyone bothered to investigate who supported on the ground with manpower and finances? After all mining in Ballary didn't start yesterday.... even in 1999, Ballary had nearly 25% of India's iron ore deposit and all political parties had close mine connections. 2. Did NDTV or Times Now inform that Karnataka Lokayukta might be indicting Anil Lad, based on leaked portions of the reports? Anil became a RS MP with Sonia's blessing. If never heard of Lad family, please check this out from Congress4India website. 4.How could Hegde not have ONE mention of SM Krishna's name in 2008 or 2011 mining reports (per leaked info), when High Court quashed 36 Krishna sanctioned licenses? Aha.. now you are asking the questions..5. 1 wanted to ask at this point: Dear Mr. Hegde, 128 out of 152 Karnataka mining lease recommendations were sent by SM Krishna, HD Kumaraswamy, Dharam Singh and Governor Thakur. Were they all 100% "pristine" & law-abiding in terms of execution? We know you might name one or two of them, but why not ALL? 6.Are we forgetting someone else? Let's see.. Oh yeah, in fact, it was then mining minister V Muniyappa under SM Krishna's government in 2003, who allowed quarryingeven in forest areas! Jairam Ramesh would have torn his hair in the public if it was in 2010:)7. You thought that was extreme? You have more fun, just in Karnataka: It's not just in 2003, but much earlier in 2000, the same Muniyappa and SM Krishna combo had allowed private parties mine in forest area.
Alas ! we are living in a country ridden with corruption & nepotism and it is felt strongly that democracy may not suit us because of indiscipline to the core. Lok Pal Bill ? very doubtful. God Save the Nation Bharat Maata Ki Jai Vande mataram.
It is time Yeddy goes. There is no doubt about it. But, what is at stake is whether such punishments act as deterrent on political class. Yeddy is by no means alone in this muck of corruption. We have had equally or more corrupt politicians across all states and at the centre at all times since the days of the Iron Lady. Many of them are sitting pretty happily that they are not caught with muck on their face. What is required is such a slap on all corrupt people (politicians/executive/judiciary) that all of them vomit all the money they have eaten in their lifetime. Can we aspire to such a slap?
Charges on Yedurappa regarding illegal mining have been highly relieving for UPA as it was under pressure due to a slew of scams.UPA's motive here to hasten the process of Lokyukta report is clearly a retaliation & not obliterating corruption,self evident from the progress of cases involving ex-UPA ministers complicit in corruption cases.BJP has maintained it is too early to react.Hegde's act of leaking allegations before giving his report reflects immaturity.As a former justice it was uncalled for.Anyway,Lokyukta report should eventually bring out the truth of mining scams & effect Yeddyurappa's dismissal.By staying he is only drawing flak.How can 1 hope to survive after saying I am less corrupt than 1's in UPA,who have ironically caused more loss to nation?Though he is partially true,as more strange things are happening like kalmadi's memory loss & denial of Raja's statements in court by UPA amounting to zilch progress in these scams,but Karnataka's ppl rightly deserve Yeddy's resignation.
It is high time that Mr.Yediyurappa quits.It would be more disgraceful both for the BJP and also the CM in particular with mounting criticism which on the face of it is quite tenable and borne with tangible evidences. While the BJP is so vociferous in thundering the corruption of the Congress at the centre, equally it is important that it keeps its corridoors clean. Mr.Yediyurappa has been proved corrupt and established for his aggrandising policies with ulterior motives. It is high time he quits lest the BJP shall have a virtually damaging image.
When a culture reaches the nadir of morality, the most-widely circulated national paper publishes editorials advocating indifference to corruption, the largest ruling party of the country enjoys justifying the corrupt deeds of its members or partners, the governance is construed as the right to plunder the tax-payers' money, the assets of the elected members multiply in a matter of one-term (applies even to PM, an honest tax payer is asked to pay tax on the interest earned on her savings, and Yeddys are allowed to stay on in power even by God (literally being witnessed in Karnataka)! Yeddy is harping on the sole point in his favour, that he is less corrupt, which seems true. I will not be surprised if some Congress and JD(U) men support Yeddy to form next Govt in Karnataka if he is removed this time by BJP. On his own, after having tasted it, he will never let power slip off his hands.
It seems the media has gone overboard on the issue of corruption charges against Karnataka CM B.S. Yeddyurappa. The Lokayukta Hegde, instead of submitting his report is talking to media and is openly confirming the 'leaked' allegations. He had ample time to submit his report. On the verge of retirement on August 2 next he is making all sort of noises. He is also alleging that his phone is being tapped but he is not complaining to appropriate authorities. Than he is also alleging phone tapping and pressure by state BJP. He is not behaving like a judge and is clearly playing politics. All this is very funny. But it is very surprising that even before the submission of the report national newspapers like 'Hindu' and 'Hindustan Times' are publishing editorials against CM Yeddyurappa. The Karnataka Mining Case is already before the Supreme Court so Hegde can not give any conclusive opinion.
This is a very bold editorial. I am astonished at tolerance of BJP and legislators allowing the open corruption in the modern silicon valley of India.Long live free press.
The image of the Prime Minister who had always been projected as a paragon of virtue lies shattered now. His party is trying to get the adverse impact of the 2G scam on the Prime Minister's image reduced by getting the nation's attention concentrated the despicable happenings in Karnataka. The party in power in Karnataka , on its part, is trying to hide behind the wrongdoings in New Delhi to lessen the damage to its image. The media would do well to keep clear of such political chickanery.
The Editorial has so thoughtfully brought out as to why Mr. Yeddyurappa, cannot stick on to the C. M. 's gadi in Karnataka any more. Right from the day, he came into occupation of Chair mainly with Defector M. L. A. 's support and with the blessing of BJP's Central leadership, he had been battling cases after cases in Courts. Where, he could have found time to look into Welfares of the state's people ? It is high time, he call it quits.
Yedurappa must resign now and then let him try to establish that he is not involved in the Mining Scam. This alone is not going to solve the problem of Karnataka.The politics in Karnatake is one of the worst in India.It is better to have for some time President's rule with a group of advisors. The present Governor should be shifted. Then only things will improve in Karnataka.
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