Udupi: “I’m a part of the government. I’m an independent MLA from Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party (KPJP) and there is no question of me leaving the party”, said Forest Department Minister R Shankar during a visit to a private function of his close ones.
He questioned, “Why should I join Congress or Janata Dal (S)?”, and clarified, “I’ve not gone to Mumbai and neither am I indulged in any suspicious activity.”
“I’ve come to attend the marriage of my close friend. I’ve not received any offer calls from BJP. I don’t know why the media is trying to instigate a controversy”, he added.
On questions regarding the coalition government, he said, “The government will function smoothly for five years. Some say the government is still in deep sleep. I assure you that the government is up and active and will work for the betterment of the people of the state.”
When asked about the Moharam celebrations of Uttara Kannada, he said, “I’m not aware of the celebration. Incidents of setting trees on fire have not been reported to me. We’ll take stringent action on whosoever goes against the law. The initiatives and awareness programmes against deforestation have increased. I am stressing on green revolution.”
“Efforts in creating awareness among people has to continue. It is not a good deed to set trees on fire during Moharam. I’ll convince such people. The forest department will take strict action in such cases”, he added.
