VC's 'suitcase' remark sparks row, minister to seek explanation

Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy on Thursday said he will seek an explanation from Vice Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi, Prof Mallika S Ghanti for her reported statement that one has to carry money in a suitcase in order to get any work done in the Vidhana Soudha.

“I don’t know why she has made such a statement. But it is an irresponsible statement and I will seek an explanation from her,” the minister told reporters on seeking his reaction on Prof Ghanti’s controversial statement.

Kannada University has nothing much to do with the Higher Education department. The University does not send any important file to the department. So, the question of the vice chancellor bringing money in a suitcase to the Vidhana Soudha does not arise, he added.

On restoring recognition to the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), the minister said he will soon meet Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar in this regard. The state government had twice written to the Centre, urging it to take measures to restore the recognisation in the interest of students, Rayareddy.

‘Corruption exposed’

The state BJP on Thursday stated that Prof Ghanti’s statement reflected the “suitcase culture” in the Siddaramaiah government.

In a press release, BJP state spokesperson and MLA S Suresh Kumar stated that the BJP had always been saying that the Congress regime in the state was the most corrupt government in post-Independent India.

“The chief minister has been trying to mislead the people by stating that there is not a single corruption charge against his government. He has been rubbishing the BJP’s charges. Now what does he got to say ?” Kumar asked.

The BJP leader said it was obvious from Prof Ghanti’s statement that there was corruption in appointment of various posts in Kannada University.

DH News Service