Bengaluru, April 6 (NationPress) Karnataka's Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, recently addressed the proposed delimitation of Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies by the central government, emphasizing that population should not be the only factor in this decision-making process.

While speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Monday, Parameshwara noted that Karnataka is projected to receive fewer Lok Sabha seats—approximately 66—because population figures are being prioritized. “The higher population in Northern India is impacting our allotment of seats, and we are concerned about this trend,” he emphasized.

In response to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s comments on the potential 'injustice' faced by Karnataka during the delimitation, he stated, “CM Siddaramaiah has advocated against using population as the primary measure. In Southern India, we have successfully implemented family planning, leading to a reduced population. This should not be a disadvantage for us, and I agree with his viewpoint.”

Addressing the ongoing debate about the state government's decision not to mandate Hindi as a compulsory subject for Class 10 examinations, along with the ensuing protests from Kannada organizations and the Governor's involvement, Parameshwara remarked that opposition to Hindi is a longstanding issue. “Even during my student days, we rallied with slogans like ‘Down with Hindi’. This confusion has persisted since then,” he explained.

The minister stressed that the matter requires resolution, stating, “There has always been a demand for regional languages to have adequate representation. We demand this for Kannada, just as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will advocate for Telugu. This has been a persistent concern, particularly in non-Hindi-speaking southern states. Finding a resolution would be beneficial.”

Regarding the shortages of LPG, he stated, “While assurances may be given, we require essential supplies like gas, petrol, and diesel. If we receive these supplies on par with other states, the situation will improve. We are taking measures against black marketing and have outlined our needs to the Centre, which must ensure sufficient allocation. The global issues stemming from the US-Israel and Iran conflict are known, but we should at least receive the minimum required supplies.”

On the forthcoming by-elections for two Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, Parameshwara expressed confidence in his party's prospects. “There is a positive momentum for the Congress party, and we are optimistic about winning in those constituencies. Given that these are by-elections, the government’s social justice initiatives from the past three years will bear fruit,” he stated.

Addressing his campaign remarks about the BJP allegedly dividing Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, he said, “Who created confusion regarding internal reservations? My comments were made in that context. The Sadashiva Commission report was dismissed, and percentages were later added before being sent to Delhi. On what basis were these percentages determined? My statement was in response to the confusion instigated by the BJP.”

When queried about the potential impact of internal reservation on the Congress party’s future, he replied, “Have we ever indicated that we will retract or not implement internal reservation? We have consistently maintained our commitment to it.”

He added that the process is ongoing. “Since it is still in progress, the special Cabinet meeting set for April 22 has been postponed. The procedure will resume after the by-elections. It is up to the Chief Minister to arrange the special Cabinet meeting,” he mentioned.

Concerning the IPL ticket distribution controversy, Parameshwara remarked that tickets are often purchased online. “Can we control how legislators or their family members book tickets online? I am not fully informed about the conditions under which IPL tickets are distributed. If we start scrutinizing everything, it will become very challenging,” he stated.

He added, “When I receive a ticket, it usually states that it is non-transferable, meaning I cannot give it to someone else. However, if it is open-ended, anyone can use it to watch the match. Typically, two tickets are provided to legislators, and they can be used by anyone,” he concluded.