Karnataka Minister seeks resignation of his own Ministerial colleagues

Karnataka’s Forest Minister C Chennigappa stunned the coalition Government in the State by seeking the resignation of his two of his ministerial colleagues for their reported opposition to provide free saplings to a Trust engaged in forest conservation activities.

Much to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s discomfiture, Chennigappa convened a press conference and lashed out at his Ministerial colleagues Alangur Srinivas and H S Mahadev Prasad, both belonging to JD (S), for not only opposing the forest conservation scheme during the cabinet meeting, but also leaking the cabinet deliberations to the media.

“Their continuation in the cabinet is detrimental to the entire Government. I appeal to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to drop them from the Ministry”, Chennigappa said.

Apparently, the cabinet took up the issue of Forest Department providing 10 million saplings free of cost to the Karnataka Vana Samvardhana Trust, which is engaged in forest conservation activities. The Trust headed by Pontiff of Adi Chunchanagiri Math Sri Balagangadhar Swamiji comprises representatives of 39 religious institutions in Karnataka.

According to media reports, Minister for Municipal Administration Alangur Srinivas and Minister for Kannada and Culture H S Mahadev Prasad had an argument with Chennigappa over the issue. However, the Cabinet approved the scheme and decided in favour of the Forest Minister.

Chennigappa, who referred to media reports about the matter, accused the two Ministers of spilling the beans to the media. “They should go because they have failed to observe the oath of office and secrecy administered to Ministers by the Governor at the time of swearing in. They should also apologize to the religious leaders”, Chennigappa said.

But, Chennigappa’s outbursts against his own ministerial colleagues did not go down well with the Chief Minister. “Who gave him the authority to seek the resignation of these Ministers?”, Kumaraswamy sought to know when Chennigappa’s demand was brought to his notice.