Date:22/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/22/stories/2006112204000500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Make stance clear on Datta Jayanti: Congress

Special Correspondent

`Do not allow the Sangh Parivar to conduct rituals'

BANGALORE: Congress leaders have demanded that the Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP Government make clear its stance on allowing the Sangh Parivar to organise the "Shoba Yatra" and "Datta Jayanti" celebrations in Chikmagalur district.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh said that the decision of the BJP, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad to conduct the "Shoba Yatra" and "Datta Mala Abhiyana" would lead to communal clashes.

The Government should not allow the Sangh Parivar to make provocative statements and conduct rituals, they said.

The Government had maintained silence on the Datta Jayanti issue fearing that the Sangh Parivar would mobilise people against the Janata Dal (Secular) candidate Shivabasappa in the byelection to the Chamudeshwari Assembly constituency. The Dharam Singh Government had conducted rituals at Bababudangiri according to the Karnataka High Court order and it was totally peaceful, Mr. Kharge said.

Mr. Kharge and Mr. Dharam Singh took exception to Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's statement that the Government would construct a new jail to punish Congress leaders in the wake of the "scams surfacing against them."

As the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Yediyurappa should make responsible statements, Mr. Dharam Singh said. It may be noted that Mr. Yediyurappa recently said that the Government, if required, would conduct raids on hopuses of Congress leaders and check the wealth amassed by them.

Earlier, Mr. Dharam Singh told presspersons that development works had come to a standstill in the past 10 months. He criticised the Chief Minister for "setting the date" for arresting MLA and Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar.