NIC meeting a futile exercise: Yeddyurappa

Mysore, Oct 14: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday, Oct 14 charged that the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting held in Delhi on Monday, Oct 13 was a 'futile' exercise, as serious issues like terrorism were not discussed.

''The Centre has a soft corner towards those who perpetrate terrorism. The meeting was a futile exercise and waste of time as the Chief Ministers were not permitted to speak freely and debate on various issues,'' he said, speaking to mediapersons at the helipad here.

Referring to the recent attacks on places of worship in the State, he said the issue was used as a political tool by the opposition parties. ''Instead of bringing harmony among the people, they have been making unwarranted statements in view of the coming by-elections to eight Assembly segments in the state,'' he alleged.

On Karnataka being the fourth placed state in communal-related violence, he said the state government would take necessary steps and strict action against persons who indulged in any communal violence.

''If necessary more stringent laws would be enforced to curb the situation in the coming days, he added. Mr Yeddyurappa said all the efforts were being made by the opposition Congress and Janata Dal(S) to destablise the BJP government in Karnataka but their efforts would come to a naught. The two parties had been trying to joining hands once again to 'create fear' in the minds of people. However the people of the state, who have voted BJP to power wanted the government to last for the full five years of its tenure, he said.

Answering a question Chief Minister said that his party would able to win all three Legislative Council seats for which elections would be held shortly.

He also accorded welcome to the 13 Taluk Panchyat members belonging to Janata Dal(S) and the Congress of H D Kote taluk, who joined the BJP at a function held here today.

The Chief Minister was in the city to participate in the centenary celebrations of Siddanganga Seer Sri Shivakumaraswamy, organised by the Akhila Bharatha Veerashiva Mahasabha and Basava Baliga and Veerashiva Sangha Samasthegala Okkoota.

UNI