Bengaluru/Mysuru: The cold war between CM Siddaramaiah and home minister and KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar does not seem to end, a fact mirrored by the latter's "innocuous absence" at crucial meetings.
Sources in Congress said Dr Parameshwar skipped meetings convened to discuss constitution of Anti-Corruption Bureau or meeting related Upa-Lokyukta, Justice Subhash B. Adi.
Speaking to DC, a senior leader in the Chief Minsiter's camp disclosed that after Dr Parameshwar after took over as home minister, he restricted himself to affairs concerning his department and the party. "Dr Parameshwar learnt about constitution of ACB only when law minister T. B. Jayachandra broached the issue during a meeting of the cabinet. He neither tried to seek any explanation nor said anything, but just kept glancing at a detailed note on the ACB circulated by Mr Jayachandra,” the leader added.
The leader said Dr Parameshwar was aware of the fact that the ACB was being constituted and Mr Siddaramaiah was getting this done “secretly” through retired police officer, Mr. Kemapaiah and his friends in the police department. “Besides, Dr Parameshwar has been keeping away from crucial meetings like whether the government should pursue petition against Justice Subhash B. Adi though this meeting was convened by Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa's office in which Mr Siddaramaiah, Mr Jayachandra, RDPR minister H. K. Patil and others participated,” he added.
ACB set up after consulting Cabinet: CM
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) was constituted after a detailed discussion with cabinet ministers and central leaders, says Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
He told the media at Siddaramanahundi: “We will publish a detailed booklet to explain everything about ACB shortly.” He explained that while the ACB would function under rules of Prevention of Corruption Act of the Union government, the Lokayukta would function under rules of Lokayukta Act. ACBs were established in several states including Delhi, Gujarat, Maharastra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, he added. Asked about opposition by his party leaders including B Janardhan Poojary, he said they did not have complete details about ACB.
