MYSURU: Deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan’s day in Mysuru district was marked by hectic activity. On Friday, Narayan, also the minister for higher education, after he received a grand welcome in north Mysuru, offered prayers at the Sri Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills, visited Madhavakrupa, the Mysuru headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) before ending his day in the district with a visit to Siddaramanahundi, where he called on his relatives. The minister, who later proceeded to Mandya, however could not visit Mysore Palace although it was part of his itinerary.
Affirming the BJP government’s commitment towards improving the education sector in Karnataka, Narayan, in the same vein, lamented the backwardness of the system in India and highlighted the imminent need to improve the overall standard of education in the country. “Improving education is our government’s top priority,” said Narayan.
In the recently released results of the Karnataka State Universities Rating Framework, most state varsities, including the 103-year-old University of Mysore (UoM) fared poorly. “Universities in the state must keep themselves abreast of the leaps made in the technological sector,” said Narayan.
Minister lashes out at Cong
Narayan reacted sharply to the protests held by Congress opposing the BJP government’s failure to effectively handle the rehabilitation process in the aftermath of the ravaging floods in the state. Accusing Congress of politicising the whole issue, the deputy CM said that the BJP government was committed to the welfare of the people. “The previous government did not initiate any developmental projects,” said Narayan, who, however admitted to the need of a full-fledged cabinet. “However, that has not had any impact on the undertaking of developmental projects in Karnataka,” said the deputy CM.
Narayan said that, if the creation of Vijayanagara district, which CM BS Yediyurappa has proposed to be carved out of Ballari, ushers in development to the backward areas of the state, such a move must be welcomed. “If bifurcation rings in development, it should be welcomed. In fact, dividing Belagavi is also not a bad idea,” he added.
Narayan said that the BJP would give the legislators, whose resignation had brought about the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government, their due. “They tendered their resignation voluntarily. So the question of their being sidelines does not arise at all,” said Narayan.
On claims made by former minister and Congress leader UT Khader about fraying ties between BJP national leadership and Yediyurappa, Narayan said that the opposition party must desist from making such statements.
In Siddaramanahundi, Narayan called on the bereaved members of his relative Kempegowda’s family. Kempegowda passed away two months ago, and Narayan expressed his condolence to the members of the former’s family.
‘400 colleges in state have poor infrastructure’
Narayan, who visited Maharani’s College of Art on Friday, lent an ear to the grievances of the students he interacted with. The students pointed to the need for more restrooms, uninterrupted water supply and better infrastructure – demands that Narayan took note of. Later, during his address to the students, Narayan admitted to nearly 400 colleges in the state being deprived of adequate infrastructure. “It is a challenge for the state government to provide facilities to all colleges. We are appealing to philanthropists to help us improve these colleges,” he added.
‘Lifting special privileges to J&K a masterstroke’
Responding to the controversy that has erupted in the wake of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government’s decision to lift the special privileges of Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka deputy CM Ashwath Narayan said that the move had drawn praise from countries across the globe. Narayan, who participated in the Rashtriya Ekta Abhiyan on the theme ‘One Nation, One Constitution’ organised by the Mysuru district unit of the BJP, opined that the central government had achieved what had once been considered impossible. Meanwhile, BJP leader Tejaswini dubbed the repealing of the special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir a ‘Masterstroke’ by Union home minister Amit Shah.
Affirming the BJP government’s commitment towards improving the education sector in Karnataka, Narayan, in the same vein, lamented the backwardness of the system in India and highlighted the imminent need to improve the overall standard of education in the country. “Improving education is our government’s top priority,” said Narayan.
In the recently released results of the Karnataka State Universities Rating Framework, most state varsities, including the 103-year-old University of Mysore (UoM) fared poorly. “Universities in the state must keep themselves abreast of the leaps made in the technological sector,” said Narayan.
Minister lashes out at Cong
Narayan reacted sharply to the protests held by Congress opposing the BJP government’s failure to effectively handle the rehabilitation process in the aftermath of the ravaging floods in the state. Accusing Congress of politicising the whole issue, the deputy CM said that the BJP government was committed to the welfare of the people. “The previous government did not initiate any developmental projects,” said Narayan, who, however admitted to the need of a full-fledged cabinet. “However, that has not had any impact on the undertaking of developmental projects in Karnataka,” said the deputy CM.
Narayan said that, if the creation of Vijayanagara district, which CM BS Yediyurappa has proposed to be carved out of Ballari, ushers in development to the backward areas of the state, such a move must be welcomed. “If bifurcation rings in development, it should be welcomed. In fact, dividing Belagavi is also not a bad idea,” he added.
Narayan said that the BJP would give the legislators, whose resignation had brought about the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government, their due. “They tendered their resignation voluntarily. So the question of their being sidelines does not arise at all,” said Narayan.
On claims made by former minister and Congress leader UT Khader about fraying ties between BJP national leadership and Yediyurappa, Narayan said that the opposition party must desist from making such statements.
In Siddaramanahundi, Narayan called on the bereaved members of his relative Kempegowda’s family. Kempegowda passed away two months ago, and Narayan expressed his condolence to the members of the former’s family.
‘400 colleges in state have poor infrastructure’
Narayan, who visited Maharani’s College of Art on Friday, lent an ear to the grievances of the students he interacted with. The students pointed to the need for more restrooms, uninterrupted water supply and better infrastructure – demands that Narayan took note of. Later, during his address to the students, Narayan admitted to nearly 400 colleges in the state being deprived of adequate infrastructure. “It is a challenge for the state government to provide facilities to all colleges. We are appealing to philanthropists to help us improve these colleges,” he added.
‘Lifting special privileges to J&K a masterstroke’
Responding to the controversy that has erupted in the wake of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government’s decision to lift the special privileges of Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka deputy CM Ashwath Narayan said that the move had drawn praise from countries across the globe. Narayan, who participated in the Rashtriya Ekta Abhiyan on the theme ‘One Nation, One Constitution’ organised by the Mysuru district unit of the BJP, opined that the central government had achieved what had once been considered impossible. Meanwhile, BJP leader Tejaswini dubbed the repealing of the special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir a ‘Masterstroke’ by Union home minister Amit Shah.
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app