Bengaluru: In comments that are being seen as having crossed a red line, BJP leader, Shobha Karandlaje's attempt to counter an attack by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on BJP leader, former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's controversial Dalit outreach, went completely off track.
Responding to Mr. Siddaramaiah’s searing comments on Tuesday that if the BJP leaders were truly concerned about the welfare of Dalits, they should marry them and make them a part of the family, Ms. Karandlaje pointed to KPCC working president,
Dinesh Gundurao, saying, "BJP leaders have nothing to learn from the Congress party on how to woo dalits. Before suggesting anything to BJP state president, B. S. Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister Siddamaraiah must look at his own house. Is KPCC Working President, Dinesh Gundurao's wife a Dalit? Who the Congress Working President has married is a matter of public knowledge," she said.
Mrs Tabu Gundurao immediately took to Facebook and slammed Ms Karandlaje stating that it was unfortunate that a leader of Ms Karandlaje's stature has stooped to such levels.
"As a homemaker and a mother of two daughters, I take strong umbrage to Ms Karandlaje trespassing into our private lives for her narrow political gain. The fact that she has derisively referred to our family in a totally unconnected issue indicates that her sole intention is to create communal disharmony in the society," Ms Rao lashed out and quickly added that it was no secret that she was born a Muslim and her husband Mr Dinesh, is a Brahmin.
"We have been happily married for over two decades now and not once has the issue of community crossed our minds. We live a perfectly balanced life, though neither of us has converted, respecting all religions is a practice followed by us...We represent the unity in diversity that India stands for," Ms Rao stated.
While coming down heavily on Ms Karandlaje, KPCC working president, Dinesh Gundurao stated that had he been in love with dalit girl, he would surely have married her, but at that time he was in love with Tabu, so, he chose to marry her.
"Everyone is aware of whom I am married to. Even when I got married in 1994, I ensured both families agreed to our marriage. It is a well known fact that Ms Karandlaje isn't married yet, she has every chance to prove what she preaches. She can marry anyone she desires," he quipped.
He added that BJP leaders seem to have lost their senses, fearing that they might lose in 2018 elections, therefore, they are panicking and resorting to such statements. "These statements only show them in bad taste and their low taste," he snapped. British Deputy High Commissioner called on Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar and discussed with him various power related issues like renewables, electric vehicles and finance for power projects.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Shivakumar said despite the drop in hydel power generation owing to a weak monsoon, the department was taking all steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers, students and industries. The daily demand for power varies from 8300 MW to 9300 MW. The water storage in major reservoirs was less compared to the corresponding period of last year. This had hit power generation from hydel sources. Union Energy Minister Piyush Goyal had promised speedy allocation of coal blocks in Chhattisgarh to ensure smooth supply of coal to the state thermal power generating plants. The coal would be transported from Chattisgarh to the thermal power plants in Karnataka.
Mr Shivakumar also said the union government had stopped the supply of energy efficient LED bulbs to Karnataka citing technical reasons. Because of this, the energy department too had temporarily suspended the distribution of LED bulbs at concessional rates. The supply would resume after the union government starts supplying those bulbs, he added.
On the meeting with Mr Dominic, the minister said several proposal pertaining to the energy department had been placed before the government and the former had extended technical and financial support. The British deputy high commissioner had appreciated the works being done in the fields of wind energy and solar energy. Impetus was also given on green energy. The state has been invited to utilised funds available in London Stock Exchange to increase power generation.r Dominic McAllister, British Deputy High Commissioner called on Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar and discussed with him various power related issues like renewables, electric vehicles and finance for power projects.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Shivakumar said despite the drop in hydel power generation owing to a weak monsoon, the department was taking all steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers, students and industries. The daily demand for power varies from 8300 MW to 9300 MW. The water storage in major reservoirs was less compared to the corresponding period of last year. This had hit power generation from hydel sources. Union Energy Minister Piyush Goyal had promised speedy allocation of coal blocks in Chhattisgarh to ensure smooth supply of coal to the state thermal power generating plants. The coal would be transported from Chattisgarh to the thermal power plants in Karnataka.
Mr Shivakumar also said the union government had stopped the supply of energy efficient LED bulbs to Karnataka citing technical reasons. Because of this, the energy department too had temporarily suspended the distribution of LED bulbs at concessional rates. The supply would resume after the union government starts supplying those bulbs, he added.
On the meeting with Mr Dominic, the minister said several proposal pertaining to the energy department had been placed before the government and the former had extended technical and financial support. The British deputy high commissioner had appreciated the works being done in the fields of wind energy and solar energy. Impetus was also given on green energy. The state has been invited to utilised funds available in London Stock Exchange to increase power generation.
