Karnataka

S.M. Krishna declines to react to Margaret Alva’s outburst

TUMKUR: The former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, Congress Working Committee member G. Parameshara and Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the State T.B. Jayachandra on Saturday, refused to comment on the recent remarks of party general secretary Margaret Alva.

The leaders were here to attend the inauguration of the two-day Atavi Shivayogi Ashtothara Mahotsav at Shuddhaganga Math at Chickthotlukere, near here.

Mr. Krishna said the Congress high command was seized of the matter. “I would like to keep off the issue for the present,” he said.

Mr. Krishna said that he had been maintaining distance from the day to day happenings in politics. “I would like to maintain stoic silence for a year at least,” he added and refused to discuss any matters relating to the party and even those related to the State politics.

In their speeches, Mr. Krishna, Dr. Parameshwara, and Mr. Jayachandra, however, attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party for causing communal tension in the State.

The Congress leaders urged the State Government to check communalism and terrorism in Karnataka.

Thanks to the domination of these three Congress leaders at the function, which was virtually turned into a Congress event. S. Suresh Kumar, Minister for Law and Tumkur District incharge, who made a brief appearance, left the dais without speaking, after he sensed the upbeat mood of the Congress supporters at the function. BJP’s district level leaders also left along with Mr. Suresh Kumar.

Speakers paid rich tributes to Atavi Shivayogi, who founded a series of Lingayat maths in the district and launched the Akshara Dasoha — free feeding for the poor students at these maths.

Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math was felicitated on the occasion.

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