BJP denounces arrest of journalist Santosh Thammaiah who insulted Prophet Muhammad

Shivamogga, Aug 9: Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi on Saturday virtually inaugurated Malgudi Museum at Arasalu in Karantaka's Shivamogga.

The old station building at Arasalu has been converted into museum.
BJP MP from Shivamogga BY Raghavendra said that the old station building at Arasalu has been renovated keeping with 'Malgudi' theme in mind.

"It is a tribute to the makers of the popular television serial 'Malgudi Days' as the station features predominantly in the episodes which broadcast on Doordarshan in the 1980s," he said.

The museum has been designed by a famous artist John Devraj, who was the part of the serial Malgudi Days. The Mysore Divisional Railway funded the museum.

"The approach road and station area wear a new transformed look. The innovative idea of having a tea-shop in a narrow gauge coach at Arasalu station adds charm to the green surroundings," the MP said.

"Popular and internationally acclaimed serial Malgudi Days was shot here in Arasalu. The SWR Mysore division manager Aparna Garg helped to transform the station to fictional village Malgudi," he added.

The museum is about 30 km from Shivamogga city. It has steam engines and bogies besides collections of photographs hanging on the wall taken during the time of shooting for Malgudi Days.

Bengaluru, Jul 27: Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that when COVID-19 has made life and livelihoods difficult, it is unfortunate that charges have been levelled of irregularities in the procurement of COVID-19 equipment.

"The Congress which has levelled charges against the ruling BJP has not so far filed a complaint with any investigating agency. Instead, the Congress has limited itself to getting publicity. On the other hand, the ruling BJP instead of coming clean by ordering a probe into the main charges is indirectly admitting the scam," Kumaraswamy said on Sunday.

"By washing dirty linen in public, both the Congress and the BJP are playing a cruel joke on people instead of protecting their lives," he said.

Hitting out at the BJP, he asked, "Why is it that the BJP is not ordering an investigation into the Rs 2,000 crore Covid 19 corruption charges levelled against the government by the Congress? Why is the government keeping quiet on the corruption charges?"

He said, "Is this the leadership provided by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa? There could be political pressure on seeking resignation of his Ministers. But why has no action been initiated against any officers? Is there any effort to destroy the evidence by retaining officers in their existing postings?"

"Hunger for publicity is evident when we look at the press conference by five Ministers at a time," he said.

The government has countered the charges of the Congress but backtracked on ordering an investigation, he said.

"Would this not give rise to suspicion that the government is involved in the scam?" he asked.

He also asked why Congress leaders have not filed a complaint before any investigating agency despite "possessing documents to prove the charges".

"Are the Congress leaders trying to get publicity or are they concerned about the welfare of the people? The Congress Legislative Party leader is seeking an account (Lekka Kodi) while the BJP president is seeking answers (Uttara Kodi). Is it enough to give such questions and answers?"

Is there a concrete legal plan to deal with the irregularities? he asked.

"Looking at the way the Congress leaders have addressed media conferences and taken to social media campaigns, it appears that they are trying to get publicity," he said.