Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Nov 1: “The Karnataka Rajyotsava Day is a very sacred day. I do not support those who hoist a separate flag,” said minister for women and child development and Udupi district in-charge minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar.
Speaking to the media after the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations on Saturday, November 1, minister Hebbalkar said, “There is no support for the separate Kalyana Karnataka state movement. Our elders and writers fought hard for the unification of Karnataka. I do not wish to speak further on such developments on this auspicious day. I will express my opinion on this matter in the coming days.”
Responding to the verbal clash between MLA Pradeep Eshwar and former MP Pratap Simha, the minister said, “As an elder sister, I wish to advise both of them. I too have faced many humiliations in politics. People are observing politicians closely. We must be role models, not behave in a way that causes embarrassment.”
“People are watching your conduct and language. Dragging parents into political issues is not right. Stop it here itself. Both of you are intelligent individuals—enough, end it now,” minister Hebbalkar advised.
On the issue of changing the chief minister, she said, “That decision rests with the AICC president. Like everyone else, I will follow whatever the party decides. The party has recognised me and given me an opportunity to serve. Even if the party asks me to take up a different responsibility, I will gladly accept it.”
She further added, “Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar is a person who always acts according to the high command’s instructions. He has often spoken about Sonia Gandhi’s sacrifices; it should not be interpreted in any special way. We are all well aware of the history of the Gandhi family — Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.”
Reacting to minister H C Mahadevappa’s statement that the so-called ‘November Revolution’ is nothing but an illusion, Hebbalkar said, “He is one of our senior leaders and among the most intelligent ministers in the cabinet. Whatever he says, I will support.”
Regarding the Dharmasthala case, she said, “The High Court has issued a stay order on the SIT investigation. We must respect and follow the court’s order, and we are doing so. The claim that this has set back the government or the investigation is incorrect. The government is making efforts to vacate the stay order. Dharmasthala is a sacred place; that message must go out,” she said.
The minister assured that the state government would extend full cooperation for the development of Udupi district, adding, “The government has no shortage of resources; everything is progressing smoothly.”