Mantri quits over sex scam

The Yeddyurappa government’s plans to organise a mega celebration this month when it completes two years in office, took a body blow on Sunday with the food and civil supplies minister, Mr Haratalu Halappa, resigning following a media report that he had allegedly assaulted the wife of a friend in November last year. His resignation has been accepted by the Governor.

With the gram panchayat polls just a week away, it remains to be seen how this scandal affects the prospects of the party.

The report which was published in a Kannada daily said that Mr Halappa had visited the friend’s house in Vinoba Extension in Shimoga, his home district after completing his engagements in November. After having food that night, Mr Halappa allegedly expressed his desire to stay overnight and was welcomed by his friend.

Around midnight, Mr Halappa reportedly began crying in discomfort. His friend rushed to the room and was told by the minister that as his blood pressure had dropped, some tablets should be brought from the Inspection Bungalow (IB) nearby.

The friend rushed to the IB but could not trace either the car driver or the gunman. He returned home planning to get the minister admitted to hospital.

He was shocked to find his wife sobbing and Mr Halappa hurriedly getting dressed. The woman told her husband that she had been raped by the minister. After sending his resignation to the CM, Mr Halappa denied being involved in the incident. “I feel the baseless report has been published only to tarnish my image,” he added.

Karnataka CM welcomes Railway Budget

The Railway budget won appreciation from unexpected quarters when Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Wednesday hailed it for sanctioning some projects for the State, saying it would help improve rail connectivity.

“I am happy that the Railway budget presented today sanctioned a number of projects for the State”, Mr. Yeddyurappa, heading the BJP government, told reporters here on Wednesday.

“I take the opportunity to thank Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for sanctioning eight new railway projects based on cost sharing by the state”, he said in contrast to the BJP’s strong criticism of the budget at the national level.

He also welcomed the Budget for sanctioning four new railway lines. “Five projects under the PPP which are very important to the state have been accepted”, he said.

After independence, Karnataka had been neglected as far as railway projects were concerned, he said. He said the state would be committed to its promise of contributing Rs. 600 crore as its share of contribution in cost sharing for early completion of projects. Karnataka was the first State to have come forward to contribute 50 per cent of the railway project cost, he said.

Survey of seven new railway lines and approval of new trains and extension of trains would also be beneficial, he said, adding if all projects were implemented, railway connectivity in the State would improve.

Karunanidhi commends Yeddyurappa

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday commended his Karnataka counterpart B.S. Yeddyurappa for organising the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Krishnadevaraya at Hampi.

In a message, Mr Karunanidhi recalled the contributions of the Vijayanagara emperor and how Krishnadevaraya treated people of different faiths impartially and promoted art and culture.

The Chief Minister also recounted the unveiling of statues of Saint Thiruvalluvar in Bangalore and poet Sarvajna in Chennai in August and referred to the participation of Mr Yeddyurappa in the two events.

Addressing a function here, Mr Karunanidhi explained that his party – Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam - had been working for democracy, Tamil society, and Dravidians. His party was together with Congress and Communists to eliminate communalism and enable the deepening of communal harmony.