'No one can run political party without corruption'- Apr 10, 2011(someone has guts to speakup openly about wrongs)

'No one can run political party without corruption'

TNN | Apr 10, 2011, 09.48pm IST


HUBLI/ HAVERI: It is impossible to run any political party or strengthen it without involving in corruption __ former chief minister and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy thinks so.

"We all must accept this hard truth. No one can run political party or do politics by investing their hard-earned money. Corruption is so deep rooted in politics that even if Mahatma Gandhi was alive today, he would have either quit politics or have accepted the reality," Kumaraswamy told reporters in Haveri on Sunday.

Posing a challenge to Gandhians to experiment the truth by starting a political party, the former CM claimed: "During my tenure as CM, I never encouraged corruption in the government."

Kumaraswamy said he is apprehensive that the proposed Lokpal Bill will become toothless like the Lokayukta Act in Karnataka, unless the guidelines to be framed by 10-member joint committee frames strong norms. After inaugurating a temple, he said social activist Anna Hazare's effort to fight corruption in the Gandhian way may not yield the desired result as corruption is still rampant in Karnataka despite the enforcement of the Lokayukta Act.

"Lokayukta police in Karnataka have been actively raiding the houses of officials and seizing their (ill-gotten) assets worth crores. But though they have been writing to the government to suspend corrupt officials, the government is not taking proper action. Worse, some officials raided by Lokayukta have also been promoted," Kumaraswamy said.

Earlier in Hubli, Kumaraswamy said he wanted some leader to emulate Hazare to fight for the development of north Karnataka region. "Persons who are rendering selfless service to society without any political affiliation should take the lead," he added.