HAVERI: Politics of vengeance between BJP and Congress has reached a different level in
Haveri district
. The rural development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department has repealed the decision taken by the previous zilla panchayat administrative body to name the latter’s hall after former minister and Hanagal MLA C M
Udasi
. This has left the national parties sparring at the district level.
As per RDPR under-secretary’s order dated November 27, the decision taken at the ZP general body meeting on July 21, 2012, to name the new building’s hall after then district minister Udasi stands repealed. The order clearly mentions that there is no provision in
Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act (1993) that confers such power on ZP. However, this order is being debated as “revenge politics” by Congress, which is an ally in the ruling party in the state.
Meanwhile, a writ petition filed by Ekanath Mudigouder, a resident of Ranebennur, in the High Court is expected to be heard after the submittion of the ZP CEO’s statement. Mudigouder has objected to the naming of a government building after elected representatives.
On the other hand, Haveri ZP CEO had appealed to RDPR principal secretary to repeal the decision as it was against the Act. Now, the ZP’s decision is considered as a setback for BJP in general, and Udasi’s followers in particular. Moreover, RDPR department had also recently rejected the proposal to name the building after K B Koliwad, former speaker, citing the same Act.
However, ZP members from Congress had questioned the naming of the hall after Udasi, while BJP members had strongly objected to naming of the building after Koliwad at the ZP general body meeting on May 15, 2017.
S K Kariyannanavar, ZP president, a Congressman, admitted that RDPR department has repealed the ZP resolution of naming after Udasi. “But it cannot be considered as revenge politics. Earlier, Koliwad’s name was also rejected. We will take a decision in next ZP general body meeting and follow the Act,” he said.
BJP ZP member Virupakshappa Kadli said that the pr evious ZP administrative body had approved the proposal to name the ZP hall after then district minister Udasi. “We feel it was not wrong. We will try to convince the RDPR department again to name it (only) after Udasi. However, Congress should not politicize this issue,” he said.
ZP CEO K Leelavathi said that she has not yet received the order. “Will react after getting it,” she added.