ENARADA, Hubli,September 22, 2013:
Photo and report by KIRAN BAKALE
CM Siddaramaiah today defended his cabinet colleague and told journalists that there is no question of dropping information minister Santhosh Lad from the cabinet.
Recently SR Hiremath of Samaj Parivartana Samudaya had accused Santhosh Lad of being part of illegal mining lobby. Santhos Lad had clarified that he was not involved in any kind of unlawful activities.
Siddaramaiah said that the accusations made by Hiremath is baseless and challenged him (Hiremath) to furnish documents, if any.
CM Siddaramiah met senior journalist, Nadoja Patil Puttappa at his residence and held a discussion for more than 40 minutes. Ministers H.K.Patil, Santhosh Lad and local MLA’s accompanied him. Not divulging any details of the discussion held in the residence of Patil Puttappa, CM said it was a courtesy call.
According to reliable sources, Patil Puttappa has given an overall picture of his campaign to save the sports ground in Hubli. It can be recalled that under the leadership of Patil Puttappa , various organisations in Hubli are protesting against the illegal transfer of public ground to a trust owned by few BJP leaders to form a high society club.
Later CM inaugurated the Kannada Bhavan and assured releasing of special grants for the development of Hubli- Dharwad twin cities. Patil Puttappa, Ex-CM Jagadish Shettar, Senior JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti, MLA Kona Reddy and other were present.
