President referring Tipu name sparks controversy in Karnataka

Bengaluru, Oct 25: President Ram Nath Kovind remarks on erstwhile Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in his address to the joint house of Karnataka Legislature has led to controversy with opposition leader in the Council K S Eshwarappa demanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to tender an apology. "The ruling Congress government should not have misused the President by including the name of Tipu in the speech. The President has read whatever the speech prepared by the State government. during such Session even the Governor will readout whatever the speech prepared and given to him," he added. Talking to newsmen, Mr Eshwarappa said that " Mr Siddaramaiah Government should not have misused the President and in future also he should hot indulge in such act as such act is uncalled for." Mr Eshwarappa also took strong exception for not mentioning the names of BJP and JD(S) Chief Ministers by President during his address. "Only names of Congress Chief Ministers were mentioned and not BJP Chief Ministers including B S Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar and D V Sadananda Gowda. It clearly shows that the speech was prepared by the state government and the mistakes was done purposely." However, Janata Dal (Secular) leader in the Legislative Assembly Y S V Dutta defended the President taking the name of Tipu Sultan. "Nothing wrong in the President mentioning the name of Tipu Sultan. Replying to a question, he said that "the speech was not prepared by the State government and even if it is assumed as alleged the President office will go through the speech thoroughly and give final clearance and if there was any controversy it would be removed there itself." "I dont think the President not mentioning the names of all the Chief Ministers is also wrong. He (the President) also forget the name of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, who had also served as Chief Minister of the state. But we pointed out to the President immediately and he said that Mr Gowda is a good friend of him and he is not mentioning all the names. What is wrong in it." Presiding Officers of both the Houses defended President in mentioning the name of Tipu Sultan. Legislative Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad said that "there is nothing wrong in President taking Tipu's name he has right to do so." Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy said that "we have to listen to what speech made by the President. It is his prerogative and it was not wrong in mentioning the name of Tipu Sultan." The controversy has risen since the main opposition BJP is protesting against the State Government celebrating the Tipu Jayanthi and several BJP leaders including Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde, Lok Sabha member Shobha Kharandlje have written to the State government not to include their names in the invitation and they will not attend the function. Mr Hegde has even threatened to protest on the venue in front of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah if his name was mentioned in the invitation. UNI