No Congress hand, President speech was prepared in Delhi

Bengaluru: A day after President Ram Nath Kovind's controversial speech in the Karnataka legislature, where he heaped praise on Mysuru king, Tipu Sultan, contrary to the state BJP's stand on the Siddaramaiah government's Tipu Jayanti celebrations, officials cleared the air. Mr Ashok Malik, press secretary to the President said that the speech had been prepared at Rashtrapathi Bhavan, and refused to share any more details. "We cannot disclose such details. The speech was prepared at the Rashtrapati Bhavan," he told Deccan Chronicle. 

President speech took no input from state secretariat: Koliwad

While Speaker K.B. Koliwad acknowledged that  both the Legislative Assembly and Council secretariats had provided background information to Rashtrapati Bhavan, he claimed his draft did not figure in the president's speech. "The final draft of the speech was prepared by Rashtrapati Bhavan," he insisted, when contacted.

As for the expenditure involved in the celebration of Vidhana Soudha's 60th anniversary,  Mr Koliwad said, "We have maintained accounts. There is an accounts  department that keeps tab of everything. And then a separate audit will take place. But we cannot share this information with everyone who asks for it."

Mr Koliwad, was, however vocal about his disappointment at the government turning down several proposals of the legislature secretariat.  "We had proposed building a Legislators' Home in Belagavi, but this was not approved," he regretted, also revealing that his suggestion to illuminate Vidhana Soudha on the weekends as a tourist attraction had  not been approved either. " In fact I did discuss this with the Chief Minister, but the government has not given its okay as yet," he added.