Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Monday found words of encouragement coming from unexpected quarters. Union labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who inaugurated the ESI hospital at Peenya, referred to Mr Gowda as a ‘man who works seriously with a smiling face’. Mr Kharge urged state labour minister B.N. Bachhe Gowda who was present and other Cabinet colleagues of Mr Gowda to try and help him retain his seat. “I hope Mr Gowda will be allowed to work as CM till he completes his tenure and no one ousts him,” he quipped.

The remarks by a senior Congress leader like Mr Kharge come at a time when the Opposition Congress has launched an all out attack against the BJP government on the porn clipping episode. They are also relevant at a time when loyalists of B.S. Yeddyurappa are striving their best to reinstate him as CM. However, Mr Kharge was not all praise for the state government and expressed displeasure with Karnataka for not utilizing funds sanctioned by the Centre.

Mr Kharge advised the Assembly Speaker and the Legislative Council Chairman to ban the carrying and use of mobilephones inside the House. He lamented the incident in which BJP ministers had watched porn clippings inside the Assembly and said It had blotted Karnataka’s image the world over. “Elected representatives should watch their speech and behaviour inside and outside the House as they hold responsible positions. As the Chief Minister has called for an inquiry, it should be conducted without hitches,” said the minister.