Minister Rajanna says he won’t contest next Assembly poll, will make way for younger leaders

MYSURU: Cooperation Minister K S Rajanna on Tuesday declared that he will not participate in the next Assembly election, but would remain active in politics. He also said the government will take action against vested interests in the cooperative sector.

Speaking to media persons at Hunsur in the district, Rajanna said, “I am already 75 years old and by the next election, I will be 78 and won’t be in a position to serve the people due to my own health issues. Hence, I am thinking that I will not constest the next Assembly election, but I will be active in the cooperative sector. In my opinion, young and strong people should be given a chance”.

He also said amendments to the cooperative Act do not need the Centre’s consent and expressed surprise over Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s recommendation to sent the amendment to the Centre for approval. “We will discuss about this take further steps. Elections to the MDCC Bank and other dairies have been postponed due to technical reasons, but the government is keen that all elections be held in the coming days”, he said.

Responding to BJP’s attacks on the Congress Sadhana Samavesha held in Hosapete on Tuesday, Rajanna said, “They are the opposition party and their job is to criticise. There is not need to respond to it”. On MLA Tanveer Sait’s remark that some ministers may be dropped, he said it was the latter’s individual opinion and that the high command would decide.

On Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s remark that the Gruha Laxmi dole was not promised every month, but depended on revenue generation, Rajanna said his comment had been twisted. When the video was played out, he said Shivakumar would not have made such a statement and expressed doubts.