Bangalore, June 25: The ruling BJP in Karnataka on Friday celebrated completion of two years in office, even as the resignation of Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde over the alleged ”indifferent attitude” of the state government filched away some sheen from the bash here.
At a well-organised convention “Sadhana Samaavesha” at the sprawling Palace grounds here to project the achievements of BJP’s first independant government in southern India, senior party leaders Sushma Swaraj, M Venkaiah Naidu and H N Ananth Kumar lauded the B S Yeddyurappa-led Ministry.
Swaraj listed the various programmes launched by the government for the welfare of poor, women and the elderly and its focus on development work.
But the resignation of Lok Ayukta N Santosh Hegde earlier this week that continues to generate heated debate among sections of the public.
Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge known for his fight against corruption, had announced his resignation rapping the BJP government for its “indifferent attitude” towards fighting corruption, embarrassing the state government.
Naidu attacked the Congress, accusing the party in the state of trying to “convert Rajbhavan into Gandhi Bhavan”.
He also alleged the Congress of approaching Governor H R Bhardwaj often to “tarnish” the Government’s image.
“It is not proper in democracy. Instead, they should go to the people and try to win them over,” he said.
Yeddyurappa, who appeared emotional at times during his speech, alleged that the opposition in the state was not cooperating with the Government, while central ministers hailing from Karnataka were a helpful lot.
“I am pained to see that the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah has not come to the function.What mistake have I committed”, he asked, as he sought cooperation from all quarters to “bring change”.
–Agencies