Terror arrests: Suresh Kumar, CM's adviser in tussle

Bengaluru: The verbal dual between the BJP legislators and the Chief Minister’s Media Adviser Dinesh Amminamattu has taken an ugly turn with former Law Minister S. Suresh Kumar demanding the resignation of Amminamattu over his alleged statements on the increasing terror activities in the country and Amminamattu hitting back saying that he is ready to quit his post if Kumar resigns from the BJP.

It all started with Amminamattu delivering a speech at a book release on Saturday in the city on the subject of Secularism and Challenges. In his speech he expressed his view on the arrest of suspected terrorists just few days before either Independence Day or Republic day as such acts made people develop prejudices against Muslims.

On Sunday, former Law Minister Suresh Kumar used his Facebook account to write an open letter to Amminamattu, urging him to demit his post as it lead to a conflict of interest. “If Amminamattu does not resign, the CM must announce his decision in this regard,” he urged. On Monday  Kumar again published an FB post stating, “I haven’t questioned Amminamattu’s ideology. But it is a question of propriety.”

But on Monday Amminamattu also used his FB account to counter the allegations leveled against him by Kumar and dared him to resign from BJP first if he was really concerned about the country. “I am ready to accept the challenge and step down from the media advisor’s post if Kumar also joins my fight against the social issues,” he wrote on his wall.

“If you are really opposing the communal forces of all religions, please quit the BJP as you never opposed Hindu fundamentalism openly. Let us together fight against all forms of communalism and fundamentalism involving all religions. I am ready to attend a press meet organised by you and we can announce our decision of quitting our posts together,” he said.

‘Aminamattu should work within his limits’
BJP spokesperson S. Suresh Kumar has taken a strong objection to the statement made by CM’s media adviser Dinesh Amin Mattu, who reportedly said that the Muslim youth are being arrested during Independence Day and Republic Day, painting them as terrorists. Kumar said that CM Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G. Parameshwar should clarify the state’s stand. Aminamattu’s statement contradicts the stand taken by Dr Parameshwar, who supported the NIA in arresting youth involved with Islamic State.

“Even City Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh, said that they were observing the movements of the arrested for the last few days. But Aminamattu is contradicting the Home Minister and the City Police Commissioner,” Kumar said.

“The CM’s adviser should work within his limits. The chief minister should realise that an adviser and activist cannot coexist in the government. There will always be a conflict of interest. The adviser should be a team member and the chief minister should take a decision,” he said.