Moily slams BJP for 'devaluing' Presidential election

Mangalore, July 21 (UNI) The Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission and former Karnataka Chief Minister M Veerappa Moily today strongly criticised the BJP for ''devaluing'' the country's top post by levelling baseless charges on Presidential candidate Prathibha Patil.

Addressing a press conference here, he said instead of resorting to ''malicious'' campaign against Ms Patil, the BJP could have fought the elections on ideological ground.

''There is all possibility for a political polarization in the country after the presidential election. The Congress is gearing itself to become more active,'' he said.

He said the Commission would submit its sixth report to the government in the next 20 days.

Coming down heavily on the JD(S)-BJP combine government in the state, Mr Moily said the state government had totally failed to contain the naxalite menace, particularly in Malnad and Western Ghat regions.

On Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ), Mr Moily said the project had already been cleared by the Centre and about Rs 1500 lakh crore investments were expected in the project.

Allaying apprehension, Mr Moily said according to technical report the acquisition of cultivable land for the project was less than five per cent whereas the remaining land would be totally barren land.

A total of 3983 acres of land was required for the project and 1483 acres of private land had already been acquired for the project, he said.

Referring to Bangalore-Mangalore railway line, Mr Moily said both the Railway Safety Board and the General Manager of South West Railway had given their approval for commencing the passenger traffic on the line.

However, the Railway Ministry had postponed the commencement of the passenger and the goods train on the line due to landslide at some section on the route. Both goods and traffic were expected to commence after the monsoon, he added.

UNI