Revanna asked to apologize for attack on BATF, Nilekani

‘Revanna must apologise for anti-BATF remark’
Times of India

Bangalore: After lying low for a while, former minister D.K. Shivakumar is back in action: this time demanding a public apology from public works minister H.D. Revanna for his statements on the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) functioning and its chief Nandan Nilekani.

In a letter addressed to CM N. Dharam Singh on Friday, Shivakumar wanted the former to “control his cabinet colleagues by warning them against making irresponsible statements harming Karnataka’s interest.
“In the previous government the then CM had good control over his cabinet colleagues and used to advise and admonish them, whenever needed. Now if a cabinet minister issues irresponsible, childish and narrow-minded statements, what will happen to the good name you have earned so far and about the government led by you?’’ he asked.

Revanna had criticised the BATF and Nilekani in particular, by virtually holding them responsible for the bad state or roads in Bangalore. He alleged the BATF did no work for four years.

In the letter, Shivakumar told Singh: “Please inform your ignorant minister that more than 40 per cent of the people reside in towns and cities and nearly 12 per cent in Bangalore. Many public and private sector industries are established here and the city is providing market for the products produced by farmers.’’

Supporting Nilekani, he claimed that because of “selfless service and efficiency of persons like Nilekani that Bangalore had developed to this extent. “The manner in which he has spoken against Nilekani has made Karnataka citizens bow their heads in shame,’’ he added.

“All persons involved in BATF did contribute their best without any expectation of returns or rewards though providing infrastructure is the government’s duty. Nilekani did not have the onus on him to improve the city. It is high time that Revanna tenders an apology to Nilekani and BATF members,” he said.