Karnataka: Prasad to unveil plans in January

Mysuru: Veteran politician and former minister V Srinivas Prasad, who quit the Congress after he was dropped from the cabinet, announced on Tuesday that he would unveil his future political moves in the first week of January.

Mr Prasad has played his cards close to his chest after being wooed by leaders of BJP and JD (S). He, however, has made known his intentions to contest the bypoll to the Legislative Assembly from Nanjangud, a constituency from where he was elected on a Congress ticket, in 2013.

On Tuesday, the former minister continued his tirade against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while addressing his third “Swabhimana Samavesha” in T Narasipur near here. He charged that tainted bureaucrat Jayachandra’s proximity to Mr Siddaramaiah was an “open secret.” “Was I not a member of his cabinet? It is a known fact as to who is close to him in Mysuru region, and who is not,” he added.  

Mr Prasad turned emotional at the sight of over 15,000 well-wishers, supporters, predominantly Dalits, and several leaders who had gathered at the rally despite inclement weather.

He said: “I feel overwhelmed by that  fact that atleast so many people who have gathered beyond my expectation, at conventions like this organised without political intension, have understood me, and are here respecting me for my 45 year long political track in which I have served as MP for five terms and MLA for two terms.”

Though Varuna Hobli of T Narasipur taluk, and H D Kote are part of Chamarajnagar Lok Sabha constituency, Mr Prasad did not spare PWD minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, saying  “PWD in their (Chief Minister and  Dr Mahadevappa)’s parlance is plunder without danger.”

“In my long career, I have never given directions to an officer to arrest a person. Police carry Dr Mahadevappa’s son Sunil Bose on their shoulders, and he directs them to arrest those who question his locus-standi when he went to launch a government project in Kukkuru village in T Narasipur taluk. On what basis he goes to launch a government project? Isn’t it misappropriation of power? It is not right in democracy. How do you justify your district minister, Chief Minister?” he asked.