SDPI staged protest demanding immediate appointment of Lokayukta Cheif

Bangalore, 25th June: Social Democratic Party of India along withKarnataka Jagruthi Janandolanaprotested at the Chalukya Circle against the vacant seat of the Lokayukta Chief. The Lokaykta chief's position is vacant since 20 September 2012 after the resignation of Justice Shivraj Patil as the Lokayukta Chief. The guests of honor included Sri. A. K. Subbaiah, former leader of the opposition, Karnataka, Mr. Anwar Saadath, State working committee member of the Social Democratic Party of India, Mr. Javed Azam, Treasurer, Bangalore District, SDPI.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Siddappa, president of theKarnataka Jagruthi Janandolana mentioned that the police tried to make us run from pillar to post & we are having a peaceful protest related to the non appointment of Lokayukta. The government has taken theresponsibilityof protecting the corrupt politicians of BJP, JD(S) & Congress & hence does not want Lokayukta. We request the CM to kindly appoint the Lokayukta chief at the earliest. He also threw light that a lot of SDPI cadres are visible today and this clearly shows thatKarnataka Jagruthi Janandolana has been successful in attracting a few political parties.

Speaking of the occasion Mr. Anwar Saadath extended full support to theKarnataka Jagruthi Janandolana in the fight against corruption. Karnataka was a model state when it comes to Lokayukta & was the first to appoint the Lokayukta. It was defnitely not the efforts of Congress or BJP of today it was Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde & his team who made sure that the Lokayukta was appointed in Karnataka. The motivation of Lok Pal Bill of Anna Hazare is from the Lokayukta of Karnataka. He mentioned that the way T. N. Session gave strength to the Electioncommissionof India, on similar lines Justice Venkatachala & Justice Santosh Hegde worked towards strengthening the Lokayuka of Karnataka. Today the main reason for the weak position of the BJP Government is Lokayukta. It was the Lokayukta which gathered strength to "Bell the Cat" This is the reason that the government does not have the courage to appoint the Lokayukta. Today in about 19 districts there are no Lokayukta SPs. Karnataka has been awarded the name "The Most Corrupt State". It is a scary situation today. We are heading in the direction of countries like Somalia. The freedom fighters have sacrificed their life, shed bool to get us this freedom. The sacrifices were for the future generations to live with pride & peace & not for these corrupt politicians to steal the national wealth.

Speaking on the occasionMs. Nagalakhmi Bai, a journalist,mentioned that it takes a string Lokayukta to run a corruption free government. She also mentioned that it takes a strong Lokayukta for the common man to get justice from the courts. She mentioned that it was for people like Nissar Hirematt who raised the voice against corruption in Bellary that we see the Reddy brothers behind bars. We need a lot of such voices to strengthen the nation. Mr. Sadananda Gowda was termed a thick skinned man. We used to think that BJP hadknowledgeable& educated people, but, we have seen that by their actions the BJP has shattered the dreams of the citizens of Karnataka.

The other speakers included Mr. Lokpal Jain, Mr. Chandrakanth of theKarnataka Jagruthi Janandolana, Mr. Javid Azam, Treasurer, SDPI, Bangalore District Working committee, Mr. Mahboob of JD(U) among others.