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PM's office has lost its value, says Advani

Last updated on: August 14, 2010 21:42 IST
LK Advani and other senior BJP leaders ahead of the rally in Mysore

The office of the prime minister has lost its value and that is regrettable, said senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former deputy prime minister L K Advani at a rally at Mysore on Saturday, reports Vicky Nanjappa

Advani made a reference to an article that was published in an English daily on Saturday in which Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had asked the people what needs to be addressed on the occasion of the Independence Day.

Advani wondered how could the newspaper go ahead with publishing this, and said that this is a proof that the office of the PM is losing its value

On the illegal mining issue in Bellary, Advani commended the BJP-ruled Karnataka government for taking proper steps to curb the same.

The rally was organised by BJP, whose government is in power in Karnataka, to counter a spirited campaign in the last few weeks by opposition Congress which has been going ballistic against the state government on the issue of illegal mining.

Advani had repeatedly attacked Manmohan Singh as 'weak' during the campaign for last Lok Sabha polls, inviting a combative response from the prime minister.

Text: Vicky Nanjappa  Photographs: Madhusudan S R

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'Governor should be given a chair in the Congress office'

Last updated on: August 14, 2010 21:42 IST
Crowd turnout at the Mysore rally

The ruling BJP in Karnataka on Saturday also mounted a frontal attack on Governor H R Bhardwaj with whom it has uneasy relations, alleging he had openly flaunted his Congress credentials and asked him to function within the framework of the Constitution.

"Bhardwaj himself says he is proud to be a Congress man. A chair should be provided to the Governor in the office of the pradesh Congress office," state BJP president K S Eshwarappa said at the party rally in Mysore attended by senior leader L K Advani, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and other state leaders.

Attacking the Governor for declining consent to the state's bill on banning cow slaughter and for referring it to the President for assent, he said Bhardwaj should 'work within the framework of the Constitution and in accordance with the verdicts pronounced by the Supreme Court.'

He said BJP would 'not rest' till the law on cow slaughter ban was implemented in the state. Ever since occupying the gubernatorial post, Bhardwaj, a former Union law minister, has been openly critical of the BJP government on various issues, including illegal mining and law and order, inviting the wrath of the party.

'There are several Yeddyurappas in BJP'

Last updated on: August 14, 2010 21:42 IST

Eswarappa also criticised on Janata Dal-Secular leader H D Deve Gowda for opposing the cow slaughter ban bill.

Attacking opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who had led the party's recent 'Bellary Chalo padayatra' against illegal mining, Eshwarappa questioned his concern for the backward classes.

Taking on Siddaramiah in his home turf of Mysore, he sought to know about the efforts made by him for their welfare when he was the state finance minister for seven successive years. He alleged Congress leaders had indulged in illegal mining for the last six decades.

The onoing Lokayukta probe into illegal mining would bring out the truth, he said.

Citing media reports that CM is in the Naxalites hit list, Yeddyurappa said, "Being an ordinary farmer's son, I have grown up to this level by hard work. My life is dedicated to serving the people. Now also, I will continue to serve the people. I will not care for my life. If one Yeddyurappa goes, there are several Yeddyurappas in BJP, BJP will not betray the people at any cost."

Addressing mammoth BJP rally at Maharaja's college ground in Mysore, Yeddyurappa rejected Siddaramaiah's demand for his resignation. "I will not quit, but I will give power to the people," he said.