Karnataka: Opposition questions government over Nehru statue

BENGALURU: Opposition members in the legislative council on Wednesday demanded that a statue of Jawaharlal Nehru be reinstalled at its original spot in Vidhana Soudha.
The statue was shifted from its south-east location in the complex to the north-west side to facilitate Metro construction. At the time, the government had said it would be moved back once the work ended. Raising the issue in the council, Congress member K Govindraj sought a timeline from the government.Floor leader Kota Srinivas Poojary, replying on behalf of chief minister BS Yediyurappa, said the government would consider the demand.
Riled by the reply, Congress and JD(S) members pressed for a definite answer. “The Metro work concluded more than a year ago, but no action has been taken by the government. How much more time do you need to shift the statue? It’s the commitment of the government and it must be honoured,” Govindaraj said. Basavaraj Horatti, BK Hariprasad, PR Ramesh and other members joined the chorus, asking the government to set a deadline.
Poojary said the government had a lot of respect towards Nehru, the country’s first prime minister, and it would move the statue back to its position. But he refused to set a deadline.
The discussion ended after he said he would discuss the issue with the chief minister and take a call at the earliest.
Probe into Ganga Kalyana scheme
The state government has decided to form a house committee to look into allegations of financial irregularities in the Ganga Kalyana irrigation scheme. Members from across party lines stressed on the need for an inquiry and floor leader in the legislative council and muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary agreed to the demand. “The government will set up the committee after discussing the issue with social welfare minister Govind Karjol,” he said.
Earlier, MLC NA Narayanaswamy of BJP raised the issue under Rule 72, alleging large-scale corruption in the irrigation scheme. Several MLCs concurred with Narayana Swamy. Following complaints of corruption, the government had in 2019 created a panel under retired IAS officer Venkataiah to look into the allegations. The panel has sought more time to submit the report, citing Covid-19.