The Hindu : Gowda consoles Guruswamy's family

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 25, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Gowda consoles Guruswamy's family

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE Sept. 24 . The former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader, H.D.Deve Gowda, on Tuesday called on the family members of Guruswamy, who drowned in the Kabini last week, at Beechanahalli village in H.D.Kote taluk near here.

Arriving here from Bangalore by the Cauvery Express, Mr. Gowda proceeded to Guruswamy's house at Beechanahalli. The former Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, and the former minister, H.C.Mahadevappa, accompanied him.

The former Prime Minister consoled the family members of Guruswamy and handed over Rs. 50,000 to them. Mr. Gowda said party workers raised the sum. Mr. Guruswamy is survived by wife, two daughters, and a son.

Addressing presspersons, Mr. Gowda said the party's future course of action would be announced by the State unit President, Mr. Siddaramaiah, on Wednesday.

The course of action would be based on the assessment of developments taking place in the State in the wake of the Supreme Court order and the CRA decision on the release of the Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu.

Denying allegations that the party was trying to gain political mileage out of the agitation, Mr. Gowda said the protests were being organised in the interest of farmers and the State.

However, he appealed to the people to control their emotions as the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal was expected shortly.

On Guruswamy's suicide, Mr. Gowda said the 41-year-old gram panchayat member took the step as a matter of "responsibility". "As a representative of the people, he would have to face uncomfortable questions from the public about his efforts to prevent the flow of water," Mr. Gowda said adding that he would urge the State Government to enhance the compensation to Mr. Guruswamy's family.

The former Prime Minister took exception to the failure of the Government to take the Opposition into confidence.

"Earlier, the Government used to take the Opposition into confidence over issues pertaining to border and river water sharing. The present incumbent has failed to do so," he regretted.

Asked about his contribution towards resolution of the Cauvery crisis, Mr. Gowda said he had spoken to the Prime Minister, A.B.Vajpayee, the details of which he refused to divulge.

Drought

Mr. Gowda used the forum to criticise the State Government for its failure to tackle the drought situation in the State efficiently. The ministers were not touring the drought-hit areas of the State and making an assessment of the situation. Mr. Gowda said the Union Government too had failed to provide the State with adequate foodgrains to tackle the situation. "They are not doing charity.

They are releasing foodgrains as per the recommendations of the Ninth Finance Commission, which had set aside Rs. 79 crore under the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF)."

He said Mr. Krishna had to equally share the blame for poor Central assistance, as he had been "callous" while making a drought relief claim before the Union Government.

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