Sunday, November 18, 2007

Chair is important than Oath!

Even as the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is all set to seek trust vote on the floor of the House today, he forgot the oath taken a week back in the name of farmers of the state: He failed to attend the Krishi Mela-2007 at GKVK where he was supposed to felicitate 37 farmers from different districts!

(A picture of B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony)

At 12 noon on Nov 12, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, assuming the office of the chief minister of the state, took an oath in front of the Vidhana Soudha. Invited by the Governor Rameshwar Thakur, the chief minister read out, "I Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa, do take the oath in the name of God and farmers of this state.......". Just a week after assuming the charge of the state, the Chief Minister has forgotten his god (farmers of the state) as his own position as Chief Minister is quivering with the uncertainties and political chaos looming over state politics. Owing to his busy negotiation with political stalwarts on Sunday, a day ahead of seeking the trust vote at the floor of the House, Yeddyurappa could not make it to the ongoing Krishi Mela-2007 to felicitate 37 farmers from across the state for achieving meritorious success.
The UAS (University of Agricultural Sciences), Bangalore, as part of the ongoing four-day Krishi Mela-2007, had organised a function to felicitate 37 progressive farmers, from 17 districts of the state, for achieving success by adopting the latest technology. The chief minister was scheduled to preside over the felicitation function. But the farmers were disappointed when the organisers announced that the CM would not attend the programme. In his absence, M V Rajashekharan, Union Minister of State for Planning, felicitated the farmers. The programme scheduled to be held at 2:30 pm was jampacked with media, farmers and VIPs. Soon after the announcement of CM's absence, many farmers left the place and went around the campus visiting stalls.
Welcoming the gathering, P G Chengappa, vice-chancellor of the agricultural university, regretted "The honourable chief minister was supposed to preside over the function but he could not make it to the function because of busy schedule. However, the chief minister has conveyed his greetings for the function." The absence of Chief Minister, more than anybody, dented the feelings of farmers from Shimoga District. Smt Meenakshamma from Dasara Kallahalli in Bhadravathi taluk said, "I feel bad that Yeddyurappa did not come to felicitate us. I had great expectations as I was told that I would be honoured by the CM. The programme is organised in Bangalore and he could have attended the function. He has been supportive of the farmers' cause but his decision not to attend the state-level function of farmers is not good." Another farmer S Bangari Bhatta, from Hutthalli in Thirthahalli taluk said, "I am aware of his position and he has been fighting hard to save his position. Whatever the programmes he has announced, through District Credit Cooperative banks, have not reached farmers in our area. At least, we wish him success in his endeavours."
The whole episode reminds me of the famous words of Abraham Lincoln, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power... "!