Restrict minister from sharing dais with President during Dasara: AAP to Governor

BENGALURU: A delegation headed by Aam Aadmi Party state spokesperson and former KAS officer K Mathai submitted a request to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot demanding that Cooperation Minister S T Somashekhar, whose name has appeared in the Konadasapura housing project scam, should not be allowed to share the dais with the President at the Dasara festival in Mysuru.

Speaking to the media during the visit, K Mathai said, “Dasara festival in Mysuru has great historical and religious significance. Kings, leaders and dignitaries who had immensely contributed to the country have participated in Dasara. This year also, many dignitaries, including the President, will participate in the festival. An FIR has been registered against Co-operation Minister S T Somasekhar in connection with the illegal construction of a multi-storied residential complex in Konadasapura, and he should not tarnish the programme by participating in the Dasara festival as he is the minister in charge of Mysuru.”

AAP spokesperson K Mathai.

“A petition has been submitted to the Governor demanding that the tainted minister S T Somashekhar be restrained from sharing the dais with the President during the Dasara festival. We are confident that the Governor will respond appropriately to our request to save the dignity of ‘Naada habba’. If the governor does not allow corrupt ministers to participate in major government programmes, it will be a wake-up call to all corrupt representatives,” said Mathai.

Mysuru District in-charge Minister S T Somashekar.

AAP organisation secretary Suresh Rathod, who was also present, said, “An affidavit has been filed in the Lokayukta office regarding the scam in the construction of a multi-storeyed residential complex in Konadasapura by Bengaluru Development Authority at a cost of Rs 567 crore. An FIR has been registered against nine people including, S T Somashekhar, B S Yediyurappa, B Y Vijayendra and others for allegedly taking Rs 29.5 crore bribe. It is wrong in the first place for Somashekhar, who is facing such serious charges, to continue as a minister. And now, sharing the dais with the President is a big mistake.”

Channappa Gowda Nallooru, Vishwanath, Venugopal, Mahesh Babu and others were part of the delegation.