Flag row: BSY says Siddaramaiah trying to cover up failures of Karnataka government
Bengaluru: The move by the state government to have a separate flag for Karnataka, which has now being vetoed by the Union ministry of home affairs, has kicked up a row between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
Defending the decision, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: "Our Nada Geeta has got official recognition. There is no fault in having a separate flag for our state. So far, the government has not taken any decision as we will wait for the report by a nine-member experts panel".
Taking a dig at the state government, state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa said it was a plot by the CM to conceal the failures of the incumbent government in the last four years.
In a bid to have a state flag, the government has nominated the principal secretary of the Department of Kannada and Culture as chairperson of the nine-member committee. Other members include the secretaries of law, home, parliamentary affairs and personnel from the administrative reforms department.
As the flag row gained momentum, Mr Siddaramaiah, in a press release said, "Noted Kannada litterateur and former Rajya Sabha member, Dr Patil Puttappa and other pro-Kannada activists had submitted a memorandum seeking designing of a flag for Karnataka and to give legal status to it. Based on this, a panel has been constituted and necessary action will be initiated on receipt of the committee report. Unfortunately, BJP leaders are spreading canards on this issue and trying to create a controversy. Let them give a statement against a separate flag for Karnataka".
Training his guns on the saffron party, the CM clarified that the panel had not been constituted keeping in view the coming Assembly polls. “The BJP leaders should know that the polls are likely to be held in May/June next year and not tomorrow. They must read the Constitution regarding the separate state flag and then react," he said.
“Having a flag of our own is certainly not against nationalism or integrity. By doing this, respect for the Tri-colour will not diminish, we all give it due respect. The national flag will be always on top, there is no question of hoisting any other flag atop it,” the CM added justifying the move to have a state flag.
