Unleashing a verbal attack against Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah over Karnataka flag issue, Minister for Kannada and Culture and Tourism C.T. Ravi said the former Chief Minister was raising the issue to mislead people and gain political mileage. He said he too wanted a flag for the State, but there was no provision for it in the Constitution.
He was addressing a media conference in Raichur on Wednesday.
“Why did Siddaramaiah raise the Karnataka flag issue now? Why didn’t he do it when he was the Chief Minister? The Congress was in power when the Constitution was drafted and adopted and it could have made provisions for a Karnataka flag then itself, if it really wanted one. Mr. Siddaramaiah is politicising the issue for votes. I too personally want a separate flag for Karnataka. But, there is no provision for it in the Constitution and we have to abide by it,” he said. He added that all those who were in power thus far had hoisted the national flag on Rajyotsava day and a few people, who were then silent or had themselves hoisted the national flag were now making a hue and cry for a separate flag.
On Tipu Sultan, he said, “Tipu Sultan is a controversial character. It is a historical fact that he had fought against the British. But, it is also a historical fact that he had attempted to impose Farsi language over Kannada. It is improper to celebrate the birth anniversary of a controversial figure. We can celebrate the birth anniversary of people such as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Shishunala Sharif who are acceptable to all,” he said.
Expressing discontent over the progress of his department in the district, Mr. Ravi said many projects in the department were pending since 2011. “Funds released were not even used. There is no proper information with the zilla panchayat, Public Works Department and Tourism Department about the pending projects and fund utilisation. Such a pathetic condition could be seen only where anarchy rules the roost,” he said.
