[1]Dismissing suggestions that he had to contend with two back seat drivers-predecessors B S Yeddyurappa and D V Sadananda Gowda- Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar asserted that he was functioning independently, on Wednesday.
Interacting with media persons at a programme organised by Press Club of Bangalore and Bangalore Reporters' Guild, Mr Shettar said, “You have seen me during the recently concluded Assembly session. I handled the situation independently. Besides, I visited drought-hit areas independently. I promise you that in future too I shall carry out my work independently.”
Mr Shettar, however, declined to comment about the war of words between Mr Yeddyurappa and Mr Gowda. He also side-stepped questions on party patriarch L K Advani controversial blog, and Mr Yeddyurappa's statement that he ensured Mr Shettar's election as the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said every one had the right to express their opinion in the Legislative Assembly when asked whether he agreed that Mr Yeddyurappa spoke like leader of the Opposition during the recently concluded session of legislature. “Suggestions (on waiver of loans) came from both the ruling and opposition members, as farmers were in trouble. All of them urged to waive loans. We considered every one's opinion before taking a decision on waiver of farm loans,” he added.
Mr Shettar, who spoke about collective leadership of party, turned evasive when asked who would lead the party's campaign in next year's elections to the Legislative Assembly. The party would take a call on this issue, he added. Commenting on the recent attack on women at a home stay in Mangalore, Mr Shettar assured that the government would not shield any one involved in the case. "We have decided to invoke the Goonda Act against the accused. The government will not spare them (men involved in the attack),” he added.
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