Pramesh S Jain & Yogesh K Porwar
F
ormer Union minister,late Ananth Kumar had a very firm stand on the issues related to State’s land, water, Kannada language and welfare of the people of Karnataka,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Anantha Prerana Kendra’,at the late BJP leader’s office in Jayanagar.
Ananth Kumar played a crucial role in getting Bengaluru Metro,International Airport,South Western Railway headquarters to Hubballi, implementation of Upper Krishna Project and protecting state’s interests in Cauvery water dispute issues through his firm and hard stand.
He has contributed immensely for the overall development of Bengaluru,Bommai said.
Recalling his friendship with Ananth Kumar since his college days,Bommai said,Ananth Kumar’s rise to higher posts never came in the way of their close friendship.
He was instrumental in successfully putting up a strong legal fight on Krishna Tribunal issue related to the Upper Krishna project and saved the State from a serious situation, Bommai said.
Closest friend in people’s movement
Bommai termed Ananth Kumar as his closest friend in the people’s movement.He was an inspiration for all.
Karnataka can never forget Ananth Kumar.He is alive in our lives through his noble works,” Bommai said.
Ananth Kumar was a real leader
“Ananth Kumar was a real leader. Since his student days he was in the forefront of student’s agitation as a ABVP leader,then as an active worker of BJP and later emerging as a tall leader of BJP.He had a big role in organising the party and bringing it to power,Bommai said.
Close association with Ananth
Going down the memory lane,Bommai said,we were close friends and classmates. We used to reserve the bench for each other whenever one of us was late to the class in the college.
We formed a Students’ Action Committee to fight against the Emergency and Ananth Kumar was made its Secretary.
We held a huge protest with hundreds of students against the Emergency and Kumar was arrested after the police lathi charge on the protesters.
Kumar had to lose one academic year in his life due to that.I had seen his leadership qualities and long term vision for the country then itself,” Bommai recalled.
Hook of Love
“A serious politician,Ananth also had a good sense of humour.He was ever smiling even amidst the crisis.
He had huge affection and love for me.I could not escape from his hook of love and ultimately joined BJP,” Bommai said.
Bommai lauded the social work being rendered by Smt Tejaswini Ananth Kumar through Adamya Chetana.
He assured complete cooperation of the State government for construction of Ananth Kumar memorial
