Support for Shobha Karandlaje intensifies

MYSORE: The city based organisations and BJP workers have stepped up their campaign in support of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shobha Karandlaje, urging the party high command not to drop her from the Cabinet, even as the dissident MLAs have targeted the minister and accused her of interfering in the administration of other departments.The city BJP unit chief Manjunath, office-bearers of Shobha Balaga and the Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) have urged the BJP leader LK Advani and Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa to continue with Shobha Karandlaje as the district-in-charge minister.ACICM convener M Lakshamana said that Shobha was instrumental in getting grants of Rs 18 crore and for the success of Dasara festivities.He said that she has also played a vital role in getting Rs 100 crore for 137 projects for the development of Mysore.Commending her for setting up the Tourism Authority by allocating Rs 50 crore, he said that she is only person in the Karnataka government to create a special officer for JNNURM projects.Lakshman said that Shobha has taken an initiative to implement the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and also got Rs 120 crore sanctioned to celebrate Panchalinga Darshan. Shoba Balaga members have also urged Yeddyurappa to retain Karandlaje in the Cabinet.Balaga president C Mangalagowri said that Karandlaje was being targeted for no reason by individuals unhappy over her political growth over the years. Shobha Balaga members have also threatened to protest if there is any attempt to drop Shobha from the cabinet without a valid reason.