HDK conducts Janata Darshan in Mandya

Mandya: Union minister H D Kumaraswamy’s public outreach programme Janata Darshan took a political turn on Friday as he accused the Siddaramaiah government of trying to scuttle his interaction with the public.
Kumaraswamy, who represents the Mandya segment in Parliament, held the Janata Darshan at Ambedkar Bhavan here for over eight hours wherein hundreds of public presented petitions seeking his intervention to get help.However, officials stayed away from the event, making it more a JD(S) event with the party functionaries managing the affairs.
This was the first time the minister held the event at the district headquarters after being elected from the Vokkaliga heartland. Kumaraswamy wanted to reach out to the people in his segment by holding the public event, which he started in 2006 when he served as the CM for the first time. Then, he had also started the village-stay programme ensuring that top administrators stay with him in villages. He had stayed in villages in Mandya and Malavalli taluks.
Staff from the MP’s office had set up 10 counters at the venue and received over 3,000 petitions, including those from physically challenged persons.
Addressing them, Kumaraswamy accused the Siddaramaiah government of trying to stall the public meeting. “I’m not upset with the officials for not turning up to the meeting. Though I did not visit you (during the general election) seeking votes, you have elected me. It is my responsibility to attend to your problems,” he stated.
Speaking to reporters, he stated that the government has issued directive to the officials to stay away from the event. “During the cabinet meeting on Thursday, the issue was discussed at length. But let me tell them, they cannot keep people away from me,” he stated.
Minister opposes mining
near KRS dam
Kumaraswamy has opposed mining in the vicinity of the KRS dam. “Safety of the reservoir, which was built by a Mysuru maharaja, is of paramount importance. We cannot allow mining in the area as the safety of the reservoir is of top priority,” he told reporters. This comes amidst preparations for trail blast at Baby Betta near the dam to determine whether mining in the area will affect the dam’s structural stability. Farmers have opposed the trail blast.
Kumaraswamy downplayed DCM DK Shivakumar’s statement that Channapatna taluk will be made part of Bengaluru Rural district. “Let him do whatever he wants. But Channapatna will remain Channapatna, and Ramanagara will remain Ramanagara,” he quipped. He took objection to Shivakumar’s whirlwind tour of the Channapatna segment ahead of the bypoll. “I have developed the segment. But the issue of housing could not be addressed properly for want of land,” he stated.