Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE MALL OF MANIPULATIONS ‘BANGALORE CENTRAL-JAYANAGAR’-VIOLATIONS GALORE

By Firoz.T.Totanawala  

The Bangalore Metro Reporter 

THE MALL OF MANIPULATIONS 

‘BANGALORE CENTRAL-JAYANAGAR’-VIOLATIONS GALORE 

 The ‘Bangalore Central’, a shopping Mall located in Jayanagar stands as the shining example for manipulation - machinations and corruption. This Mall violated laws that govern the construction to the commercial business. The BBMP officials are hand in glove with the Mall owners. From the plan sanction stage to the commencement of construction to the completion of the building to the occupancy certificate, it is violations all the way. The people living in the neighbourhood are feeling suffocated not only with the parking menace but also with the choking of their drains... 

The Bangalore Central Mall in Jayanagar 9th Block developed by Mantri Developers is worth a study. It is a prestigious Mall in Bangalore South with hundreds of commercial shops, food courts, Multiplexes etc. Allegedly, the Bangalore Central Mall was built violating many stipulated rules and regulations and the willing BBMP officials turned a blind eye towards the violations, albeit for a price! Not only this, allegedly, the officials of departments concerned like Pollution Board, Traffic Police, Commercial Tax etal are all involved. To understand the quality and quantum of violations, one has to start from the construction stage. 

 The Bangalore Central (BC) is built on a big stretch of land abetting 17th Main, Marenahalli, JP Nagar 2nd phase. Earlier, there was a pharmaceutical Company - BPRL (P) Ltd., functioning on this industrial land run by its owners S.T. Raghavendra Madi and family. The Madis after relocating the pharmaceutical company elsewhere built Chartered Madis Apartment in a portion of this big land. They have also built their residence in a portion of the land and in the remaining portion, the Bangalore Central is located. It was built partnering Prathiba Realtors Ltd., a front of Mantri Developers. 

 The construction was started in 2009. Everybody knows that while building a huge Mall, there are rules to be followed scrupulously. Before applying for plan sanction, the owners have to submit the NOC from the neighbours for construction and Trade license. It is a must. Considering the nature of the educated people residing in the neighbouring areas, it was impossible to get the NOC from the neighbours as they would obviously object fearing the commercialization post Mall construction. The Madis therefore hit upon a novel idea to overcome this biggest problem of NOC which is very crucial in getting the plan and Trade license sanction for the Mall. The Madis did unimaginable and submitted NOC from neighbours. Now, who are these neighbours who have signed the consent? The first was S.T.R. Madi himself. Madi’s house is in the premises of the property itself. The second signature is that of K.M.Upadhyaya, a cousin of Madi who resides in Madi’s ‘Chartered Madi Apartment’! The third was Sunil Subramanyam, a tenant in the same apartment who is not residing there since long. The fourth was A.M.Kashi Udupa, again a relative of Madis who is not a neighbour as he is residing two roads away. 

 What does this mean? The NOC are manipulated one. There are other residents all along 17th Main and none of them have given their NOC for the simple reason that they were unaware of the project. They were not even approached. Obviously, the BBMP officials should have inspected the spot and ascertained the opinion of the neighbours who may be affected by the proposed business. This would have the fact that the NOC was signed by none other than the owner of the land and his relatives including a person who is not a neighbour at all. But, they simply overlooked to do their duty allegedly for obvious reasons. This is a first major violation by the Bangalore Central. 

The next perplexing factor is the trade license given by the BBMP. Shockingly, the BBMP has given ‘Trade License’ to the whole complex by defeating the very purpose and basis for trade license. Every trader whether small, medium or big, should obtain the Trade License for their individual trade. There is no provision to issue trade license to the whole complex in one go. The BC Mall has hundreds of shops selling from salt to the scotch. As per the BBMP rules, every trader has to obtain individual trade license for the business they do either in the streets or in the Mall. This is a must. Then, how one can comprehend the BBMP issuing Trade License to the whole complex? This beats any known standard or limit of logic or reason. 

 Besides, the BC Mall opens scores of temporary shops in its compound on the pretext of special occasions be it a festival or even a weekend. Interestingly, nobody in BBMP opposes this serious violation. If a petty trader or even a push cart trader does business in the street, the BBMP officials pounce on them and seize the items. But when a prestigious BC Mall does this sort of street business, the BBMP officials take no action! 

 Most importantly, the BC Mall does not have proper parking facilities. Eventually, the customers park their vehicles on the roads, particularly on 17th Main, which is not even a 30 ft. Road. There are apartments on this road and the owners/tenants park their vehicles on one side of the road while the BC Mall customers park their vehicles on the other side of the road making it impossible for any vehicle to pass through this road easily. The parking menace has reached unbearable level. Residents in this area are cursing the BC Mall, but they have become helpless before the might of the big people who are into the Mall business. 

 The residents are plugged with another menace which has become a health hazard. The BC Mall lets out sewage water and wastes into the drain, sometimes choking the drains. The drains are meant for rain water passage and as such they are not big enough to withstand the load of sanitary water and wastes from the BC Mall. In fact, the Mall has to make arrangements on its own for sanitary and solid waste management. It is a big problem as thousands of people visit the Mall everyday and one can imagine the pressure on drains laid by BWSSB for the benefit of the residents. 

 On the contrary, the BC Mall has obtained permission from the Pollution Board to manage the sanitary and sewage to discharge about 100 KLD per day. In fact, the Pollution Board has stipulated in its permission, that the sewage discharge of 100 KLD per day be treated through the treatment plant and the same had to be used for gardening. The permission also stipulates that there shall not be discharge of sewage outside the premises! But the BC Mall does not care to follow these conditions. Sometimes they let the sewage water to the drains in Main and Cross Roads. Again, the Pollution Board officials do not care to inspect or verify whether the BC Mall is following the stipulations allegedly for obvious reasons. 

 Is anybody listening! Any comments!

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter YES, WE DID IT ESHWARAPPA’S DISCLOSURE MAKES BJP GOVERNMENT ILLEGAL & UNCONSTITUTIONAL WHY IS THE GOVERNOR SILENT NOW?

By Firoz.T.Totanawala  

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

YES, WE DID IT!

ESHWARAPPA’S DISCLOSURE MAKES BJP GOVERNMENT ILLEGAL 

& UNCONSTITUTIONAL WHY IS THE GOVERNOR SILENT NOW? 

 The State BJP President K.S.Eswarappa has officially confirmed the fact that the State BJP government grabbed power through money and caste power. Everybody knows this fact but there was no official confirmation. Now that the State BJP President himself has admitted this fact, the government has lost legitimacy. Morally, legally and technically, the government has lost any right to continue in power. Despite the public admission that money and caste was used to form the government by none other than the Party President himself, one wonders why the Governor, who is the custodian of the constitution in the state, is keeping quiet. Everybody knew that the BJP formed its first ever state government in the state by procuring the support of six independent MLAs. The BJP had obtained 110 seats in 2008 elections, three short of simple majority. The Congress and JD(S) together won 108 seats. There were six independent MLA’s whose support was crucial for the formation of the government. Before the last result was announced, Janardhana Reddy, the Mining Czar clinched deals with the independents for their support and eventually B.S.Yeddyurappa became the Chief Minister. 

 At that time itself, there were colourful stories of money and perks paid to independent MLAs. Out of the six independents, five were made cabinet Ministers and another was made the Chairman of Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board with cabinet rank. So, all the six independents were given ministerial positions. The monetary aspect was looked after by Janardhana Reddy and allegedly each of the six MLAs was promised 25 crores in cash and minister ship. But people did not attach much importance due to euphoria created by the formation of the first ever state government by the BJP in the South India. 

 Nobody would have grudged had Yedurappa managed the government with simple majority. But he was afraid of the largest opposition ever, which had 108 MLAs. Moreover, Yedurappa had his own suspicion about the continued support of the six independents and was apprehensive of the Congress toppling the government by luring away six independents. 

 Yedurappa therefore started hunting for more support and tried to snatch as many MLAs possible from the opposition to decrease their strength. And thus started his Operation Kamala. The Reddys, who were entrusted, brought in four MLAs from Congress who were made to resign their MLA posts and join the BJP and were immediately made ministers. Later they contested the by-elections as BJP candidates and the Reddys ensured their victory. With the induction of four more ministers, the support base of Reddy’s increased much to the chagrin of Yedurappa. In fact, Yedurappa wanted to bring some more MLAs on his own without involving Reddys. He targeted MLAs of his own Lingayath and brought in Umesh Katti a lingayath strongman from JD(S). S.K.Bellubbi, a minister was asked to resign to make way for Umesh Katti and Katti was made a minister. Later, Yedurappa procured V.Somanna from Congress and engineered other defections from Congress and JD(S) in the old Mysore region, majority of who are lingayath and a couple of them Vokkaligas. 

 Yedurappa catered to his lingayath vote bank especially its Matadhipathis, so that they can come in handy to him in consolidating his power. In fact, whenever Yedurappa faced the danger to his CM post, many of the lingayath Swamijis have rushed to his rescue and at one point of time, they even threatened to take to streets if any harm was done to Yedurappa. 

 Whatsoever, Yedurappa had heralded an unadulterated Corrupt Raj in the state so much so that the state was ranked Number one in corruption in the entire country. Many of the ministers lost their posts due to corruption charges and some have even gone to jail including Yedurappa himself. More than a dozen ministers are facing court cases for their corrupt acts. 

 To sum up, the BJP government in the state was formed with the brute force of money and sustained by the caste factor. Everybody knows this because it was a reality. And now the state BJP President K.S.Eswarappa has admitted this fact and no one can have any doubt. The so called heresays about the MLAs getting purchased, caste becoming dominant factor etc. have now been confirmed officially by the state BJP President. 

 Now what? Our constitution prohibits role of money and caste in formation of the government and its sustenance. It is not only illegal but unconstitutional too. Democracy and democratic government can not be run on money and caste factors. The state BJP government has lost legal, moral and democratic right to run the government any more. In proven cases of money spending - enticement of voters through money and caste, the Election Commission and the courts nullifies the elections or the elected persons. 

 When this being the case, one can not understand why the Governor is keeping defeaning silence over the matter. It is time; he interferes and dismisses the government. One can not allow this illegal government to continue. But as the old saying goes - who will bell the cat? 

That is all.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE RIDING BLUES HELMETS, SEAT BELTS AND TINTED FILMS

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

THE RIDING BLUES 

 HELMETS, SEAT BELTS AND TINTED FILMS 

 The Supreme Court has ordered that all Sun films from the cars be removed. It had fixed 70% visibility on the front and rear glass and 50% visibility in side door glasses. The SC has allowed company manufactured tinted glasses to be fitted in the cars. The traffic police were quick to direct the car owners to remove all the films. They have also fixed the penalties which includes cancellation of the Driving License! 

 ‘Seat Belt’ mission was started by the Traffic police three months back. They made it compulsory for the Drivers and the front seat occupants with the contention that it will save lives from accidents. Mind it; this compulsion is limited to Bangalore only. Every body knows that Bangalore Traffic is hell on earth. Cars on average cannot cover more than 15 kms in an hour and eventually, due to slow moving, accidents are rare in car segments. Then, one fails to understand the need for seat belts. 

 On the contrary, seat belts will definitely save the lives in Highways accidents, where drivers go on maximum speed. But the police do not insist on seat belts on Highways. Except putting adboards along the High ways to wear seat belts, there is nobody to enforce the rule. And the traffic police in Bangalore are busy in booking the offenders. 

 The helmet rule in state is also contradictory. The helmet rule is limited to few cities like Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Bellary and others which are Mahanagar Palikes. Helmets definitely may save the lives of riders in some cases by preventing head injuries. But interestingly, the helmet rule is enforced in only half a dozen big cities in the state. Does this imply that the lives of people in these cities are more precious than the people in the rest of the state? Even people bordering Bangalore does not need to wear helmets. One does not understand the rationale behind enforcing the helmet compulsory rule in few cities and exempting the rest of the state. 

 True, lives of people are precious and the helmets of standard quality help in minimising the impact of the accident. But, the hard reality is that majority of the people use substandard or cheap helmets that are available on the road sides apparently because good quality helmets are highly priced. One cannot get a standard helmet for less than Rs.1000, while the road side helmets are available for prices as low as Rs.100! 

 Talking about the tinted films, with the Supreme Court ruling that to avoid theft and terrorist activities, the cars should not have tinted films, it had to be removed to make persons in the car visible! The moment the SC delivered the judgement, the Bangalore Traffic Police swung into action. They directed the car owners to remove the Sun films by 19th of May, without realising the ground reality. There are about 10 lakh cars in Bangalore and the removal of the tinted films needs expert handling. At best, a worker can remove maximum of 100 tinted films in a day and there are not more than 100 experts in the city. The police too made arrangements for the removal of tinted films free of cost at many points, but, the waiting time there was exorbitantly long. The removal work also was done shabbily and in most of cases, the adhesives were not erased properly. The regular people involved in the trade started charging Rs.300 to 400 for a removal work which usually cost not more than Rupees fifty including the cost of the soap oil. Later, the charges went upto Rs.500-600! The traffic police finally extended the deadline to 5th June. 

 The Traffic Police are again advancing the argument that plain glasses will reduce thefts and attacks and they are enforcing it. They want to penalise the people who violate the law. True, there are any number of laws in the country touching upon police and the human rights. But that is followed more in violation. The traffic police who are expected to manage and regulate the traffic are busy putting up ‘No Parking’, ‘One Way Boards and fining vehicle owners, even for a small offence.

 In conclusion, the handling of the helmet rule, the seat belt rule and now tinted film removal by the traffic cops has become a bane to vehicle owners in Bengaluru. 

That is all!

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter TBMR IMPACT NEELAKANTAPPA OUT, CHICKMATH TRANSFERRED. NEELAKANTAPPA & GANG ARE OFF THE KSTDC WHEEL

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

TBMR IMPACT  

NEELAKANTAPPA OUT, CHICKMATH TRANSFERRED.  NEELAKANTAPPA & GANG ARE OFF THE KSTDC WHEEL

Shaken by the total and detailed series of exposure in ‘The Bangalore Metro Reporter’ News Paper about the day light robbery by Neelakantappa and his gang, under the guise of KSTDC’s BIAL Taxi operations, the authorities have finally woken up. The Neelakantappa gang operated an Association which did not have any legal sanctity. Their ‘Bangalore Airport KSTDC Taxi Drivers Welfare Association’ was a bogus one and unregistered! And now it’s all over, finally. 

The authorities woke up to the massive scale manipulations of cab drivers and ousted Neelakantappa. A KSTDC official named ‘Chickmath’, who was hand in glove with Neelakantappa is transferred. The association members have filed various complains with various agencies against Neelakantappa and his functioning citing the TBMR exposure. They have also united to form another welfare association truly for their welfare and registered it under the name- “Bangalore International Airport KSTDC Taxi Drivers Welfare Association”.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter SUB REGISTRAR CHELUVARAJU’S MULTI CRORE TRANSFER BUSINESS..

By Firoz.T.Totanawala  

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

SUB REGISTRAR CHELUVARAJU’S MULTI CRORE TRANSFER BUSINESS..

The Chief Minister D.V.Sadananda Gowda has transferred 90 Sub Registrars within ten days. There are more such transfers in coming days. 

The highlight of this year’s transfer is the dominant role played by a Sub Registrar Cheluvaraj who has taken over the wholesale transfer business in the department. Allegedly, more than 25 crores were collected from the Sub Registrars to get transfers or retentions. The going rate for posting to Bangalore Sub Registrar offices allegedly is 25 to 75 lakhs. Cheluvaraju himself has taken a posting to highly fertile Varthur office. 

It is to be recalled that Cheluvaraju’s house was raided by the Lokayukta two years back after he held the birthday celebration of his son in a grand scale. It is said that he had transported crores from his house before the Lokayukta raid. Cheluvaraju had done transfer business during the role of Karunakara Reddy, the then Revenue Minister. 

And this time, Cheluvaraju had done the transfer business with meticulous care. No other official or person was allowed in the transfer business. The total money collected for transfer business this season was allegedly more than 25 crores and it is true that Cheluvaraju has kept a share as his brokerage. 

Cheluvaraju who hails from a very poor family joined as Sub Registrar in 1999. Now he is worth several crores. We will shortly expose the entire transfer business and Cheluvaraju’s properties - both naami and benami worth crores.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE BURNING FUEL PETROL PRICE HIKE SQUEEZES THE AAM ADMI.

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

THE BURNING FUEL                 

PETROL PRICE HIKE SQUEEZES THE AAM ADMI.

The day after the celebration of the third anniversary of UPA-2 government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the UPA government announced a steep hike in petrol prices. Very soon, one can expect another price hike in the prices of Diesel and cooking gas. Once the price of petrol/diesel is hiked, there will be all round increase of prices of all commodities and the hike in cooking gas will further severely hit the people. The UPA-2 rule has become synonymous with all round increase of prices of everything. 

Ever since the UPA-2 government came to office, there is no stoppage of price increase. The Rs.7.50 increase per litre in addition to state taxes finally has made the hike more than 8.50 per litre. Besides, the government has also hinted at similar huge increase in the price of Diesel and cooking gas. With this increase, the UPA government has increased the price of petrol by more than Rs.22 per litre since 2011. 

The steep hike has shocked the common people to no end. This steep hike of petrol price is being defended on the pretext that the oil companies are suffering loss which stands at Rs. 78000 crores as on May 15th! However, the government stated that it is the sliding of rupee against dollar and the increase in the prices of petrol in the International market! But, the irony is that international prices are on the downward Journey in the last one month! 

 Apparently, the oil companies are crying ‘loss’ when actually they are making profits, year after year. Earlier, when the government controlled the prices of petrol and diesel, the price rise was a difficult option. During the UPA-1 regime backed by the left front, price hike was only nominal because the left parties never allowed the government to hike the prices as per its whims and fancies. Many times, the left parties forced the government to abandon the price hike or reduce the customs - excise duty on crude oil. At one point of time around 2007, the government hiked the price by Rs.2 per litre when the international prices were hovering around 130-140 dollars per week with an assurance that this price will be taken as a base for further hike or reduction. Very soon, the government decontrolled petroleum prices and gave full liberty to the oil companies to review and revise the prices, once in a fortnight. The present international petrol rate is 98 dollars per barrel. 

 Despite the hulla bullo about the rising prices and incurring heavy losses, the oil companies have continued to make profits. Not even a single government owned Oil Company is running under loss. To put it bluntly, the so called ‘huge losses’ is only a ruse to increase the profits, more than covering the losses. With the left losing its control in UPA-2, it is the regional parties that have become the part and parcel of UPA-2. 

 And no regional party in the UPA-2 is prepared to oppose the unnecessary price hike. Even Mamata Bannerji, the WB Chief Minister who dismissed her nominee in the UPA-2 for having increased the passenger fare by 2 paise per Km had no guts to oppose the unprecedented hike in the petrol. M.Karunandhi, also is not prepared to block the price hike. Only some symbolic statements were given by the UPA allies in condemning the price hike. The main opposition BJP is no different. The price of petrol in Bangalore is the highest in India, almost Rs.4-5 per litre compared to other states and Karnataka is ruled by the BJP. 

 It is true the sliding of the rupee may be one of the reasons for the hike. In the last fifteen days, the dollar has gained almost seven rupees from the previous Rs.49/-, but who is responsible for this slide after all? It is the duty of the government to prevent such slides through corrective actions. But, the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji is 80 plus and has no time for looking after the ministry as he is tipped to become the President. The Petroleum Ministers in the past and present were always busy giving indication of price hike and after much stage managed shows used to defend the hike in the name of economic stability. 

 Arguably, if the government increases the price of diesel and cooking gas, it will be hell for the common man. With the last increase in diesel and cooking gas rates, the country witnessed all round increase of almost 20% in the prices of essential commodities etc. A cup of coffee which used to cost Rs.4 to 5 just six months back is now less than Rs.10. Idli which used to cost Rs.4 now costs Rs.12! The rates of Vegetable, pulses, oil etc. have increased by leaps and bound. If there is one more increase, it will be intolerable to aam admi. 

 In that event, one hopes against hope that the UPA government falls and elections held immediately. While the common man is bombarded with price hikes etc., one hears about lakhs of crores of rupees siphoned off in 2G spectrum, Scam, CWG scam, Tatra deals, coal Mines, illegal mining, granite deals etc. If, even 10% of the ‘scam money is recovered, there may not be any more taxes on the people. Coupled with this, is the stashing of lakhs of crores rupees in Swiss Banks by the corrupt politicians bureaucrats and others. 

To put it simply, India is fast moving towards becoming a become banana republic. 

That is all.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE LOW OF HIGH COMMAND BJP HIGH COMMAND- NEITHER HIGH NOR COMMANDING….

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

THE LOW OF HIGH COMMAND        

BJP HIGH COMMAND- NEITHER HIGH NOR COMMANDING….

The BJP High command has proved time and again that it is neither high nor commanding vis-a-vis B.S.Yeddyurappa. There is nobody in the High Command to bring discipline in BJP particularly in the Karnataka unit. 

 The decline of High Command’s hold over the first ever BJP government in the South India started the moment Yedurappa became the Chief Minister in 2008. With three short of a simple majority, Yedurappa allegedly through money and muscle procured the support of six independents to become the CM. He then launched Operation Kamala to target the MLAs of Congress and JD(S) and purchased them. They were made to resign their seats and join BJP and made ministers or chairman of fertile Boards/Corporations and were also fielded as BJP candidates in the by-elections. About 20 by-election were held because of Operation Kamala. 

 Had the BJP High Command put its foot down firmly on this rotten ‘Operation Kamala’, things would have been different. If Yedurappa was asked to function with the simple majority, he would have ruled the state with caution. But the High command never imagined the future. So, once Yedurappa got more than 120 seats through elections and Operation Kamala, he was a changed man. He became a virtual dictator and the rest is history. In 2009, the Reddy Brothers revolted against Yedurappa with about 45 MLAs in their camp. The High Command dithered and was not able to find a solution to the crisis. Finally, Sushma Swaraj, the Godmother of Reddy Brothers was roped in and a truce was affected after 15 days of uncertainty. 

 In 2010, another rebellion hit Yedurappa hard. Twenty MLAs including five independents withdrew their support to him and the resort politics reached a new low. However, Yedurappa too stooped to a new low and got 15 MLAs disqualified through Speaker Bopaiah just hours before the confidence vote was to take place. Further, he misused the machinery and allowed the police to enter the Assembly hall. In fact, the then police commissioner Shankar Bidari stood guard at the entrance door! 

 His family had by then succeeded to keep him under their octopus like grip and they floated firms, trusts etc. and started making crores and crores through his power abuse. 

 Then started Kumaraswamy’s tirade against Yedurappa. Kumaraswamy started exposing one scam after another with documentary evidences against Yedurappa his family and ministers. Yedurappa started counter attack on him and his family. Politics reached a new low with cases and counter cases filed against each other. Even then, the BJP High Command turned a Nelson’s eye to the developments perhaps fearing that Yedurappa might topple his own government in case he was asked to step down. Finally, the Lokayukta report on mining forced the High Command to ask him to resign and he was replaced by D.V.Sadananda Gowda who was his personal choice. 

 However, after the High Court quashed the FIR against Yedurappa in the mining scam, Yedurappa wanted Sadananda to resign to make way for him to become the CM again. But Sadananda stated that only at the High Command’s instruction, he will hand over the power to Yedurappa. 

 Since then Yedurappa has been making efforts to dethrone Sadananda and occupy the CM chair. He even tried to kill the Sadananda government during the budget session by taking away about 45 MLAs to a resort and boycotting the presentation of the budget. However, at the eleventh hour, he dropped the ‘revolt’. 

 The BJP High Command never lifted its fingers when Yedurappa was openly indulging in anti party activities. They kept assuring him of suitable position after the SC Order on the CBI probe into his scams which was expected in the first week of May and kept rejecting his demand of CM post. Finally, the Supreme Court ordered the CBI probe into donation and denotification scam of Yedurappa and his family and that sealed the chances of Yedurappa getting any suitable post let alone CM post. 

 Since then Yedurappa is restless. He called his loyal Ministers and obtained their resignation and later MLAs loyal to him were made to submit their resignations. Armed with this, Yedurappa challenged the Sadananda government and the High Command. He opened a parallel office. He has accused everybody in the BJP High Command including L.K.Advani and has targeted choicest abuses against Ananth Kumar, K.S.Eswarappa and Sadananda. 

 And the High Command is not even in a position to take action. If any other leader had uttered these abuses, the next moment, the leader would have been expelled. But the High Command is not taking or even contemplating action. The CBI raid was a setback to Yedurappa. True, the High Command wants Yedurappa to get out of the party on his own while Yedurappa wants the High Command to expel him so that he could gain some sympathy votes. 

 Whatsoever, the High command has lost much of its command and control vis-a-vis Yedurappa. And that is all.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE FINAL ENTRAPMENT CBI RAIDS YEDURAPPA AND COMPANY, FUTURE GLOOMY

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

THE FINAL ENTRAPMENT  

CBI RAIDS YEDURAPPA AND COMPANY, FUTURE GLOOMY!

B.S Yeddyurappa the former Chief Minister received the shock of his life when the CBI raided him along with his kith and kin after registering cases against them under the directions of the Supreme court. The raids has shocked not only Yedurappa family but his ‘loyal’ supporters as well. With the CBI raid, Yedurappa’s attempts at reclaiming the CM post have been dashed. The CBI raids which had netted many incriminating documents may also result in IT cases filed against Yedurappa family. More than this, Yedurappa may also face Disproportionate Assets case as a consequence of the findings in the CBI raid.... 

Yedurappa’s bravados tantrums and devil-may-care attitude, his outbursts etc. have suddenly vanished, the moment the CBI stepped into his house. His over confidence has become a thing of the past. Gone are the days when he used to challenge everybody from the opposition leaders to the leaders of his own party. Even after many of his scams hit the headlines, Yedurappa tried to defend his actions on the pretext that previous CMs too have done similar scams. He never felt remorse at every exposure. 

 The Lokayukta report on the Mining scam was the final nail in Yedurappa’s coffin. He was forced to resign on the promise that once he is cleared of Lokayukta charges, he will be reinstated as the CM. 

 Interestingly, when the HC quashed the FIR against Yedurappa, he started staking his claim to the CM post. With around 40 MLAs including eight ministers he started dissident activities to become the CM again. He even made efforts to float a regional party if he was not made the CM. In the last four months, Yedurappa had made four attempts to remove the CM Sadananda and become the CM. But the BJP High Command was not in favour of making him the CM again. 

 Of course, there are many more criminal cases against Yedurappa and family, filed by the advocates from Shimoga and they are under various stages. More than anything else, the Supreme Court had directed the Central Empowered Committee to submit a report on the illegal mining and the donation scam of Yedurappa and his family, on a petition by S.R.Hiremath who is leading a NGO. The CEC has recommended probe by CBI or any other high level probe. Finally, the SC had ordered the CBI investigation into Yedurappa and Family’s donation and denotification scam. 

 The CBI acting on the directions of the SC, filed a FIR against Yedurappa, his family members and others involved. Nobody expected the CBI to act swiftly and raid Yedurappa, his family and others, within hours of the FIR. The CBI raid has taken out the steam in Yedurappa’s fight for CM post. 

 True, nobody could predict the style of CBI probe as it varies from case to case. Yedurappa and his family now fear arrest and as such they have moved for anticipatory bail. As the CBI is investigating the scam under the supervision of the SC, the chances of getting anticipatory bail are remote. Once the CBI arrests the accused, it will be testing time for Yedurappa and company. Once in CBI custody, Yedurappa cannot hope to get bail easily. It may take months on end. Janardhana Reddy, who was arrested by the CBI in September last for his involvement in mining scam in AP, got the bail after eight months and he is in Jail in connection with the Mining scam in Karnataka and it may be months before Janardhana Reddy walks out of the Jail on bail. This applies to Yedurappa also. 

 Even to this day, Yedurappa has not admitted, even off record, his guilt in the scams despite the tell tale evidences. But the CBI investigations will definitely nail him to the post. As on now, Yedurappa is talking of co-operation to the CBI. But this is easier said than done. Moreover, as a fall out of CBI raid which had resulted in getting hold of unaccounted properties, shares etc. one can be sure of Yedurappa getting involved in Income Tax case also. And one may expect the CBI moving against him for amazing property disproportionate to his known source of income. 

Whatsoever, the fact is that Yedurappa is in serious trouble which will affect his political future too. It is no secret that CBI investigations against powerful politicians have resulted in those powerful politicians fading away from public life. And Yedurappa is no exception and he has to blame himself for the predicament. 

That is all.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter LICENSE PLEASE NEELAKANTAPPA & GANG RUNS BOGUS ASSOCIATION, MINT MONEY

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

LICENSE PLEASE  

NEELAKANTAPPA & GANG RUNS BOGUS ASSOCIATION, 

MINT MONEY

BANGALORE AIRPORT KSTDC TAXI DRIVERS’ WELFARE ASSOCIATION IS ILLEGAL.

Shaken by the total and detailed exposure of their day light robbery in ‘The Bangalore Metro Reporter’ News Paper, the Neelakantappa gang tried to stage manage the General Body meeting of the Association on 25th of May. The gang is also stage managing the audit of its accounts and the hard fact is that Neelakantappa gang is operating the Association which does not have any legal sanctity. Their ‘Bangalore Airport KSTDC Taxi Drivers Welfare Association’ is a bogus one and unregistered! How could the KSTDC, a government undertaking recognise this Association and what more abdicating some of its official powers to this bogus Association? 

Wonder of wonders, the Bangalore Airport KSTDC Taxi Drivers Welfare Association which suffixes ‘Registered’ to its name, is taking everybody for a ride as the same is not registered with any government authority. For the last several years, this ‘set up’ Association has not conducted General Body Meetings, audit of accounts let alone elections! At the same time it has collected lakhs of rupees from the helpless owners cum taxi drivers. Even now, the Association is collecting call centre charges on its receipts. At every stage, the Taxi drivers are harassed and squeezed. 

 Neelakantappa gang and even the KSTDC use the name ‘Bangalore Airport KSTDC Taxi Drivers Welfare Association’. The KSTDC has recognised this Association in this name and even the receipts, Letter heads of the Association sports this name. Neelakantappa gang has collected Rs.16500/- from each cab owners cum drivers as membership fee. And till to day there are no official documents to prove the credentials of anybody as a Member of the Association! 

 And the hard fact is that there is no association by name ‘Bangalore Airport KSTDC Taxi Drivers Welfare Association’ registered either with the Registrar of Societies or the Labour Commissioner. ‘The Bangalore Metro Reporter’ had made enquiries about the real status of this Association and the result is that this Association is not registered. How could Neelakantappa gang suppress this ‘all important’ fact from the government and the taxi drivers? 

 It is another matter that many of the Executive Committee members and even office bearers have tried to ascertain about the bonafides of this Association. Interestingly, the letter head, receipts application forms etc. printed by this association carry ‘Registered’ but not the registration number and the year of the registration which is a must for any registered society or Association! Putting the ‘Registered’ word after the name of the Association without actually being registered is not only cheating but a criminal offence as well. Till today, nobody except Neelakantappa and Siddaiah knew about the real facts. 

 One has to appreciate Neelakantappa gang for fooling the members, the KSTDC, the government and the general public. 

 What more, Neelakantappa gang has not bothered to hold general body and elections to this Association from the beginning. Only now, after our exposures and subsequent stories in other newspapers Neelakantappa is exposed for what he is. The Neelakantappa gang is hard pressed to explain their actions, nay their omissions and commissions. Moreover, the Taxi drivers have come to know the real facts after our exposure and as such have become restive. Sensing trouble for them in the long run if the law of the land is allowed to take its course, the Neelakantappa gang held a stage managed general body meeting and they are also getting the accounts audited (?). This was the first time the gang was going before the members (?) and defend their misuse, misappropriation et al. 

 Interestingly, to prevent more members attending the General body meeting and force the gang out of their posts, the gang purposely fixed 25th of May, for the general body meeting. The reason is simple. On 25th May, Meru cabs were scheduled to go in for a colour change and therefore many of its cabs will be out of action. The Easy Cab which has lost the licence is taking away its fleet. This makes the KSTDC Taxies getting more demand and there will a few members who would skip their duties to attend the General body. This could enable the gang to have their say and continue with their loot. 

 Curiously, the Neelakantappa gang issued ID cards and members had to visit the Association’s unauthorised office in Madhuvan Lodge to get the ID. Shockingly, the gang did not give notice about the general body meeting to the members. All they did was display a notice in the KSTDC counter at BIAL about the general body meeting. This is highly illegal as the rules stipulate that every member should be given the notice through post and that too 15 days in advance along with the audit report and the agenda. Tomorrow any member can question these serious lapses and can even get the general body postponed through courts of law. 

 Interestingly, the venue selected was Kannada Sahitya Parishat’s auditorium in Chamarajpet. The auditorium is very small and cannot accommodate more than 100 people while the Association has more than 600 members. Moreover, had the venue be fixed at Yelahanka - Devanahalli route, more members could have attended the meeting. It is another matter that most of the members do not know about the general body meeting itself as not even a single notice was sent by the gang to the members. Infact, the gang has just started issuing the ID to the members and nobody knows the exact number of members of this unauthorised association! 

 But, finally, expecting a backlash, Neelakantappa, Chickmath and their gang, having called a meeting gang kept away themselves from the meeting. More than 130 members of the association had gathered for attending the meeting and they went ahead with the meeting themselves in the absence of Neelakantappa and gang. 

 Interestingly, this unauthorised association functions from unauthorised place other than the address shown in its letter heads - receipts etc. This Association displays its address as ‘-1418, AECS Layout, E Block, Kundalahalli, Opp. Brookes Field, Bangalore-37’ but functions from a room in the Madhuvan Hotel. 

 One understands that there are laws governing the functions of the Association in the state. Is it too much to expect the law taking its own course in respect of the present bogus association? 

 The General Body Meeting of Bangalore Airport KSTDC Tax Drivers Welfare Association (Regd) was scheduled to be held on 25th of this month. The interesting fact about this Association is that it is not a registered one. As per the information provided by the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Division-3, there is no association registered under this name! 

But there is one more Association registered in the Labour Commissioner Office. The name of the Association so registered is “Bangalore Airport Pre Paid Taxi Drivers Welfare Association”, registered as No.ACL-3/DRT/TUA/CR-01/2002-03 dated 4.4.2002. 

Curiously, the addresses of both the Associations are one and the same, No.1418, AECS Layout, Opp. Brooke Field, E-Block, Kundalahalli Post, Bangalore - 560037. 

 One can suffix the word ‘Registered’ in case of the Prepaid Taxi Drivers Welfare Association. It is legal. But the same can not be the case with Taxi Drivers Welfare Association; it is not a registered Association. Moreover, Neelakantappa gang has collected millions of rupees from the Taxi Drivers on various pretexts and is now collecting ‘call centre’ charges from the drivers in the name of the bogus Association. All these are criminal offences. 

 It is time that government to act in this regard. And the Neelakantappa gang should clarify which is the original one they are operating! May be they are operating in the name bogus Association to avoid the legal consequences!

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter CORRUPTION IN KRIDL TALE OF EX MD, CK SHIVANNA

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

CORRUPTION IN KRIDL 

TALE OF EX MD, CK SHIVANNA

C.K.Shivanna, the EX-MD of the KRIDL (Formerly Karnataka Land Army Corporation) had shown ingenious ways and means to indulge in corruption of the highest order. This IFS officer cared two hoots for the rules of the game and had introduced his own rules of game. One will be shocked at the quality and quantity of his corruption which one should see to believe. Shivanna, who boasted that he was the personal candidate of the CM Sadananda Gowda, had been looting since his stint from July last year and also refused to share the loot with Chairman Chikkana Goudar who resigned few months back ... 

 Few months back, Chikkana Goudar, a MLA who was the Chairman of the KRIDL (KLAC) had tendered his resignation. The reason - the Ex-MD of the KRIDL was not co-operating with him. The government till date has not accepted the resignation. In fact, Chikkana Goudar had called a press conference to announce his resignation from Chairman’s post and to accuse the Ex-MD C.K.Shivanna of slighting him. It is true that Shivanna had completely ignored the Chairman and functioned as if he is answerable to none on the pretext that he was the personal choice of the Chief Minister D.V.Sadananda Gowda. 

 There is more than that meets the eye in this episode. The feud between Chikkana Goudar and Shivanna was nothing to do with the functioning of the corporation. It was allegedly with regard to sharing of the kickbacks/commissions from purchases and works worth hundreds of crores. It is to be reminded that the previous MD A.K. Singh was honest but his honesty was misused by his subordinates. Once Shivanna took over as the MD, he introduced a percentage rule. He allegedly fixed 0.7 percent to be his share from the release of funds to various works in the Divisions and Sub Divisions. One can imagine the revenue of Shivanna by the fact that more than 640 crores were released by him to the various works. Shivanna got a flat Rs. 4.50 crore from the release of funds, alone! Allegedly, while he had fixed 0.7 percentage for himself, he had fixed 0.3 percentage to the chairman Chikkana Goudar. 

How one could accept this low commission and that too when the Chairman enjoys cabinet minister status? In most of the Boards/Corporations, the Chairman will have more ‘income’ than the MDs or the CEOs. But in case of the KRIDL, the opposite has happened. The Chairman insisted that he be given 0.7 percent while Shivanna can have 0.3 percentage! And this allegedly was the crux of the feud between Chairman and MD. Besides, the Ex-MD deliberately ignored to implement many of the directions from the Chairman. Feeling frustrated the Chairman submitted his resignation accusing the Ex-MD of non co-operation. The government is yet to accept the resignation. 

 Ever since Shivanna stepped in as MD in July last year, not a single work was entrusted to the Corporation during his regime. All the works being executed by the Corporation was procured by the previous MD A.K.Singh through sustained efforts. Being honest to the core, Singh was able to procure works worth 850 crores. And these are the works where Shivanna is said to have made money. Before AK Singh left the corporation, he had released around 200 crores and while releasing the funds, he was not even prepared to take a cup of coffee. And Shivanna had released the remaining 640 crores and allegedly pocketed 0.7 percent kickback. He was busy in making money through every conceivable ways. 

 For example, while fixing the rates for purchase of cement and steel, there was pro rata commission for him. Shivanna had to be paid at the rate of Rs. one per kg, for purchase of steel. Similarly, every bag of cement fetched him Rs.5. In fact, Rangarajan, one of the three GM was dealing and fixing the prices from his residence and lap top. He too got his share. As a result of the big kickbacks, the cost of steel became prohibitive so much so that the price of local steel with good quality was less than the procurement price. The ADs - DDs wanted purchasing power for steel and cement at their level itself so that they could procure better quality of steel and cement at much lower rate than the rates fixed by Shivanna and Rangarajan. 

 This apart, Shivanna allegedly got ‘Quarterly Mamool’ from the DDs and ADs through the six JDs. The JDs had to collect the monthly mamool from their jurisdictional ADs and DDs respectively. This collection which reached Rs 50 lakh was supposed to be collected by Shivanna.

SHIVANNA APPLIED DIFFERENT YARDSTICKS TO 

DIFFERENT PLAYERS DEPENDING ON THE ‘PURSE’. 

 Take the case of Kishore, an AD who was trapped by the Lokayukta in Shimoga. Later he was made in charge DD in Mandya! As Shivanna could not get as much he wanted, he simply posted him as DD (Tech) in JD Bangalore. The reason - Kishore was trapped by the Lokayukta. 

While this is the treatment meted out to Kishore on the Lokayukta excuse, Shivanna applied an entirely different yardstick in the case of K.R.Ramesh. He was deputed in the BBMP while he was trapped by the Lokayukta. He was repatriated to the Corporation, but, he was again posted to BBMP. After getting a hefty donation, Shivanna posted him as AD, Bangalore Rural, which is a fertile post. In the case of KR Ramesh, Shivanna simply ignored the Lokayukta trap! Interestingly, KR Ramesh is a diploma holder in automobiles and as such he should have been made to work in vehicle maintenance section. 

The case of Mobeen, a TFC is more interesting. He too was raided by the Lokayukta in Gulbarga. Shivanna after extracting his pound of flesh made Mobeen in charge AD in Raichur by opening another Sub Division, Raichur-II to accommodate him. Later Shivanna suspended the AD of Raichur-I Sub Division and gave the charge of this post to Mobeen! Interestingly, Mobeen did not have the seniority to be eligible to get in charge AD post as there were 38 TFCs who were senior to him! 

 Of course, Shivanna used the services of an AD B.H.Gurumurthy in all his collection business. 

 Gurumurthy was in BBMP, when the Chairman shifted him to Karwar as AD. But Shivanna brought him back to Bangalore so that he could act as his legman. For some time Shivanna used the services of Gurumurthy and then left him. 

 While Shivanna adopted double standards in respect of ‘Lokayukta guests’ depending on the payments, Shivanna practiced some sort of arm twisting in respect of few officials. Take the case of K.Appaji, who was the DD of Chamarajanagar. This DD is not in the habit of attending the office for at least 25 days in a month. He is known as ‘absentee DD! Shivanna, who knew the tantrums of Appaji went on Inspection tour to Chamarajanagar. Later he shifted Appaji to the Mysore JD office as DD (Tech). But Appaji was not prepared to work in a dry post. So, he allegedly clinched a big deal with Shivanna. What Shivanna did after clinching the deal with Appaji baffles everybody. Mercara Division was closed and shifted to Mangalore by Shivanna. Now after the deal, Shivanna restarted the Mercara Branch and posted Appaji to this division. This implies that if there is sufficient ‘returns’, Shivanna would not mind closing or opening a Sub Division or a division. These incidents speak volumes about the ‘quality of administration by people like Shivanna! 

 H. S. SIDDALINGAIAH CASE 

 

SUPERFAST ACTION BY SHIVANNA 

 H.S.Siddalingaiah was an Accounts Superintendent in Mysore JD office. He had not passed the prescribed Departmental exams for getting the next promotion as Audit Officer. Through his deft manipulation, he was able to get the in charge Audit Officer post. He had filed a Writ in the High Court for a direction to promotion as Audit Officer. But the High Court dismissed his petition stating that unless he passes the prescribed department examinations, he can not claim promotion. 

 Acting on the High Court Orders, the previous MD AK Singh reverted him back to Accounts Superintendent post by withdrawing all other previous orders. 

 And then H S.Siddalingaiah gave a petition to the Ex-MD Shivanna, requesting him to place him again as I/C Audit Officer. This petition was given on 7.4.2012, and shockingly, before the ink dried on the petition, Shivanna issued the orders by placing him as I/C Audit Officer! 

Any comments!

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter LAND IS MONEY Land denotifications is a Multi Crore scam. Exclusive probe necessary.

By Firoz.T.Totanawala  

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

LAND IS MONEY 

Land denotifications is a Multi Crore scam. Exclusive probe necessary. 

 The denotification, a multi crore business is pounding the state politico. As on now, three former Chief Ministers, few former and present ministers are queuing up before the Lokayukta Court to face trial for misuse and abuse of their positions. It is no secret that thousands of acres of lands were denotified in the last 20 years. Till 1995, the denotification was not a big business, it was not a profitable business also as the rewards were abysmally small. 

 It is only after the land boom in Bangalore that made the denotification, a big business. Denotification is not an illegal act, but, the way in which denotifications were done for money and political reasons, is questionable. Interestingly, the politicians in power who indulge in denotification are targeted while the officials who legalise their money making business have escaped unhurt. 

 Denotifications acquired gigantic proportions during SM Krishna’s regime and that too particularly in the Arkavathi Layout, Banashankari, Anjanapura and Visweswaraiah Layouts. Jayakar Jerome, the BDA Commissioner during the years 2000 to 2004, was the main architect of the denotifications. Between 1999 and 2004, the BDA has notified more than 18000 acres of land for the Layouts. More than anything else, the Arkavathi Layout was tom tomed as a Mega Project. By this time, the land value in and around Bangalore had skyrocketed. While the BDA used to award less than 10 lakh per acre the prevailing rates were more than 50 lakhs per acre. In some villages where lands were notified, the land rates were hovering around a crore per acre. 

 When this being the case, how one could expect the land owners to hand over their lands to the BDA for a pittance? They looked for other alternatives. The real estate was witnessing a boom and the big names in real estate were prepared to invest crores in Bangalore for their business. They started entering agreements with the land owners whose lands were notified. Later through their political and officials’ links got the lands denotified or deleted from the acquisitions. 

 In the beginning, the rates for denotifications were around 5 to 10 lakh per acre. Later it reached the level of share in the lands. Apart from the ‘politicians, the officials played havoc in the denotifications. Arguably, nobody can match the denotifications of SM Krishna regime. Then, in 2006, the JDS-BJP government under the CM ship of HDD’s son HD Kumaraswamy, came into being, but here too there was not much progress. Kumaraswamy too indulged in denotifications, under pressure from his brother and land developers. During his last day as CM, he allotted 89 acres of BDA lands to the most notorious Housing Society of a big fraud B.Krishna Bhat’ - Viswabharathi Housing Society. Interestingly, B.S.Yeddyurappa, the then Deputy CM also tried his hands at denotifications. 

Once Yedurappa became the Chief Minister in his own right, things began to change for the worst. In one particular case, his sons B.Y.Raghavendra, B.Y.Vijayendra along with son-in-law Sohan Kumar purchased 20 guntas each in Rachenahalli at Rs.20 lakh after getting the land denotified. Later they sold the land to steel cum mining company for 20 crores! And the steel company was shown official favour by Yedurappa. 

There are other similar cases of denotifications by Yedurappa whose ‘kickbacks’ found their way into the companies of his kith and kin. Yedurappa is therefore facing several criminal cases in this regard under Prevention of Corruption Act. The Home Minister R.Ashok, Housing Minister V.Somanna, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani et al are facing similar cases. Already the Lokayukta police have filed a charge sheet against HD Kumaraswamy in one denotification case. There are few Congress leaders who too are facing denotification cases. The Lokayukta Judge has referred another complaint against SM Krishna, now the Foreign Minister to the Lokayukta police. Dharam Singh, a former CM too is facing a denotification case. The list of leaders who are and will be facing the denotification cases is endless. 

 Whatsoever, the time has come to take a decisive action over the denotification business which is not restricted to one party or one CM or one Minister. There should be an attempt to take action in this regard. 

 It is time; the government should form a three man commission headed by a retired HC Judge along with one serving or retired IAS officer of proven integrity and a prominent personality from the society as its members. The commission should have wide powers including prosecuting the guilty. An investigating cell headed by a top police officer with a representative of revenue legal and prosecution departments as members should be formed. 

 The Commission should probe each and every denotification cases since 1990, study the background and the reasons for denotification. If it is found that the denotification was justified, the case should be certified as such. Otherwise, the investigating cell should identify the politicians, officials and persons involved! Once this is done, prompt action should be initiated including prosecution. And those who were held guilty should be barred from holding any public office for at least 10 years. 

And that is all.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter CBI FOR YEDURAPPA Sc orders CBI Probe. Will it the end for Yedurappa?

By Firoz.T.Totanawala  

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

CBI FOR YEDURAPPA!

SC orders CBI Probe. Will it the end for Yedurappa?

Finally, the Supreme Court has referred the Yedurappa scams to the CBI for a probe by accepting the recommendations of the CEC. Now, the chances of Yedurappa regaining the CM post have become remote. The SC Order came at a time when Yedurappa and his loyalists were waging a final war to dethrone D.V.Sadananda Gowda from the CM throne. The Yedurappa group have demanded BJP legislature party meeting on the pretext of discussing the ‘damning letter’ by Sadananda and state BJP President K.S.Eswarappa against Yedurappa and half a dozen ministers loyal to him but it was to be converted into a no-confidence motion. And the SC has thrown cold water on the scheme for the present but in desperation, Yedurappa may even topple the government... 

 The Supreme Court Order directing the CBI to probe the donation and denotification scams of B.S.Yeddyurappa, ironically, has saved D.V.Sadananda Gowda’s CM chair. It may be recalled that Yedurappa group had started all out war against Sadananda after the ‘leak’ of the joint letter by Sadananda and K.S.Eswarappa to the National BJP President Nitin Gadkari, wherein the duo have made serious charges of anti party activities against Yedurappa and six ministers loyal to him. This confidential letter written in March was leaked to the media few days back.

 It is not that Yedurappa did not know the letter and its contents, but, he did not bother about the same. Only when the letter somehow reached him and his loyalists recently, all hell broke loose. The names of Shobha Karandlaje, Murugesh Nirani, V.Somanna, Basavaraj Bommai, Umesh Katti and Renukacharya were mentioned in the letter, accusing them of indulging in anti party activities under his guidance. The letter also criticised Yedurappa taking away about 40 MLAs to a luxury resort to boycott the opening day of the budget session where the Assembly was to pay homage to V.S.Acharya, who built the party from scratch. The letter also charged him in defying the High Command by putting up his ex-Political Secretary B.J.Puttaswamy as a rebel candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. The letter made a special mention of Shobha Karandlaje who had described Sadananda as Mirsadik and Eshwarappa as Mallaiah Setty - both historical names known for betrayal and treachery! 

 Once the letter became public, Yedurappa group went for a signature campaign demanding immediate convening of the Legislature party to discuss the letter. The ‘named’ ministers have challenged Sadananda to drop them. About 38 MLAs, MLCs and 13 MPs have demanded the BJPLP meeting to discuss the issue of the letter. And Sadananda has refused to call the meeting as the letter is an internal matter between him and the High Command. On the contrary, the Yedurappa group wanted to use the BJPLP meeting to pass a no confidence motion against Sadananda. Their intention was very clear to force Sadananda step down from the CM post. 

Apparently, Yedurappa and group were aware of the impending decision of the Supreme Court. But the legal brains leading Yedurappa’s defense were confident that the SC will not opt for CBI probe and therefore Yedurappa concentrated on poojas - havanas and political tricks to reclaim the CM gaddi. First the Yedurappa group submitted a memorandum signed by 19 MLAs demanding BJP LP meeting. The next day another 19 legislatures sent similar request followed by the demand by 13 MPs for convening BJPLP meeting. At the same time, about 70 MLAs with RSS background signed a petition to the state BJP President and High Command demanding immediate cabinet reshuffle to make way for the young blood to become ministers. They wanted the senior ministers who are enjoying power for the last six years be drafted to party work. 

 The refusal of Sadananda in calling the BJPLP meeting angered Yedurappa group. They then made all the preparations to force Sadananda either to call the meeting or resign from the CM post. They were rearing to go and were confident that the SC will reject the CEC recommendations and bring the situation back to square one, implying that there will be no hurdle for Yedurappa in becoming the CM again. In fact, even the High Command would not have said ‘no’ to Yedurappa becoming the CM, as it had committed to bring him back as CM after the SC Order going in his favour. There were no alternative except to ask Sadananda to resign and hand over the baton to Yedurappa. 

 And the SC Order came as a shocker as it directed the CBI to probe the charges against Yedurappa and family and submit a report by August 3rd! The moment the SC Order was delivered, the apple cart of Yedurappa group collapsed like a pack of cards. Sadananda, Eshwarappa and even the High Command heaved a sigh of relief, as Yedurappa now cannot claim the CM post again. 

 The CBI probe is not a simple probe. It will get to the root and may even arrest Yedurappa, his family members, bureaucrats etc., if it found necessary. Yedurappa can not play ‘politics’ with CBI probe as it will be under the supervision of the Supreme Court. It is also not easy to get bail in CBI cases. CBI will definitely arrest Yedurappa and others sooner or later and one can be sure the CBI probe may take at least a year to file the charge sheet. 

 With these hard realities staring before Yedurappa group, they may, in desperation, take the extreme step of toppling Sadananda government itself. As on now Yedurappa has little over three dozen MLAs as his supporters. There are original BJP MLAs too in this group and they may not go against the BJP and as such they may desert Yedurappa camp. Yedurappa may float a new party with the support of few Ministers and MLAs and try to divide the BJP vote share. But that is a remote possibility as he needs state support as well as High Command’s support to tide over the CBI probe. But nobody knows what will be his next actions. 

That is all.

Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE NEW INNING Sachin nominated as Rajya Sabha MP. will he be a match winner?

By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

 The Bangalore Metro Reporter

 

THE NEW INNING  

Sachin nominated as Rajya Sabha MP. will he be a match winner?

The cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha and it has evoked mixed responses ranging from extreme appreciation to outright condemnation. There are demands that the ‘nominations’ should be scrapped altogether. If making Sachin, a MP is a token of appreciation, then nobody could have any objections except on the ground that many other great sportsmen or women and senior to Sachin, would have been nominated, instead… 

 One does not understand why Sachin Tendulkar was nominated to the Rajya Sabha which is known as House of Elders. Sachin is not even 40 years and how one can imagine him to be fit enough to enter the house of elders? Sachin who is still playing active cricket is definitely not a fit choice. 

 Of course, there is a provision to nominate twelve eminent people who have excelled in their field and served the country in their own way to the Rajya Sabha. These are great and eminent people who do not stand a chance in the electoral politics. It was with a view to use their services to the betterment of the country, they are nominated to the RS. 

 Over the years, the RS nominations have become a farce as it has become a sort of political rehabilitation to the ‘defeated’ politicians. Truly, the successive governments at the centre have nominated their sympathisers or defeated leaders to the RS. The nominations to the RS were mainly with a view to use the talents and expertise of eminent people both in the running of the government and for high standards in parliamentary debates in the house of elders. In fact, the RS is called the house of elders for having people who have age and experience in their particular field, behind them. During the last three decades the house of elders has become irrelevant as young politicians belonging to dynastic politicians were made RS members from Assembly constituencies. In fact, RS has become the rehabilitation centre for defeated, devalued and disgraced politicians. 

 And the same story is reflected in the RS nominations. Among them the film personalities take the cake. Though many cine artists have won the elections to the Loksabha and some of them have functioned as Ministers too, but some, who were averse to elections, were nominated. In fact, they played a major role in government formulating policies in the field of art and culture. 

 Apparently, the government nominates great musicians - singers to the RS as a token of appreciation to their services and utilising their expertise. But, most often than not, the contribution of these ‘nominated’ great is a big zero. Whatsoever, the nomination of Sachin to the RS, is but an ill conceived move. On an average, cricket consumes around 300 days in a year. And as far as Sachin is concerned, he is running the show for the last 23 years and will at least play for 2 more years. His ardent fans and even a section of the media call him ‘God of Cricket’! Last years itself, there was a clamour for awarding ‘Bharata Ratna’ to him and at the eleventh hour, the move was dropped. Even now there is persistent demand for Bharata Ratna to Sachin. 

 It is true that Sachin was in trouble when he had insulted the Indian flag. There is a criminal case pending against him. Last year, Sachin insulted the Indian Flag again during the ‘Victory run’ after the World Cup Victory. Sachin was seen trampling the Indian Flag. Except excelling in cricket and earning hundreds of crores through commercialising his cricket achievements, there is no other laudable service rendered to the country by Sachin to make him eligible for RS nominations. 

 Whatsoever, the RS seat will be only a ‘decorative piece’ to Sachin. He may not find time to attend the RS session let alone participating in debate. Lata Mangeshkar who was nominated to the RS attended the oath taking and never attended a single session. And Sachin may follow suit. 

 Of course, the provision for nominating ‘eminent’ people to the RS is earmarked for people who excelled or contributed much in the field of Art, culture, science and social service. And Sachin will not come under any of these categories. If the government wants to recognise ‘sports’ in the RS, there are many very senior sportsmen and women who deserve the RS seat more than Sachin. If cricket is to be rewarded, there is Sunil Gavaskar or G.R.Viswanath. If the athletics was to be preferred, then there is the Golden Girl P.T.Usha. There are scores of such examples. Viswanathan Anand, Vijay Amritraj etc. etc.? 

 Arguably, one can be sure of Sachin not doing justice to the RS membership. Then, do we need to ‘honour’ such people with RS seat? 

That is all.