Date:13/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/13/stories/2007051307800400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Chief Minister has lost control over the bureaucracy, says Kharge

Special Correspondent

Party to hold rally tomorrow against lack of drought relief measures

M. Mallikarjun Kharge

BANGALORE: The Congress has decided to organise a protest rally in Bangalore on Monday against what they describe as the collapse of the administrative machinery in the State and the Government's failure to initiate drought relief measures.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge said the party would submit a memorandum to Governor T.N. Chaturvedi on that day demanding that he should either take steps to rectify the lapses of the ruling combine or pull up the Government.

Mr. Kharge said the Chief Minister's repeated criticism of the bureaucracy showed that he had lost control over them. "It is not enough if the Chief Minister sleeps in villages. He should also get a hold on the administration and expedite development schemes," he said.

He said the Government's failure to periodically review the implementation of development projects was the main reason for the tardy progress of the projects.

He charged the Government with failing to efficiently implement drought relief measures, including supply of drinking water in areas of scarcity.

He also took exception to the Chief Minister's pulling up the Vice-Chancellor of the Karnataka State Open University in Mysore.

Ullal campaign

Mr. Kharge said the Congress would kick-start its campaign for the Assembly byelection from Ullal constituency on May 19. Mr. Kharge, who held a series of meetings with the party's Minority Department, SC/ST Department and Women's Wing, said all these frontal organisations would participate in the poll campaign.

He took exception to party MLA Kumar Bangarappa reportedly expressing displeasure over the appointment of the Shimoga District Congress Committee president. He said the party would seek an explanation from Mr. Bangarappa. The KPCC would consult the party high command on the action to be initiated against the legislator, he said. "Nobody is bigger than the party. No member of the party has the right to publicly criticise decisions made by the party leadership."