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Karnataka govt to stick by Gopal

Fakir Chand in Bangalore

A despondent Karnataka Government Tuesday decided to stick by its two-month strategy of continuing with state emissary R Raja Gopal in carrying on negotiations with forest brigand Veerappan for the release of Kannada film icon Rajakumar and two others, even as the hostage crisis completed its 65th day.

Disclosing this to the media, Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge and Law Minister D B Chandre Gowda stated that Veerappan had conveyed to Gopal that he would not allow any other emissary.

"We have received a communication from Madras that Veerappan had communicated to Gopal that he would not entertain any other emissary. Consequently, the state government has decided to stick by Gopal as its emissary for his fifth mission to the jungle in a day or two," Kharge clarified.

After day-long confabulations with leaders of main political parties in the state, and a three-hour brain-storming meeting with Members of Parliament in the evening with Chief Minister S M Krishna and cabinet colleagues, including senior officials, the state government decided to await the outcome of the Supreme Court decision on October 11 before considering further action.

"Opposition leaders and state MPs, cutting across party lines, have not only endorsed the two-pronged strategy (legal and negotiations) of the state government, but have also authorised it to continue with Gopal in negotiating with Veerappan for the release of Rajakumar," Kharge added.

In view of the consensus among political parties and state MPs on the strategy by the ruling party, the government decided to send Gopal again to Veerappan's lair for resuming negotiations, even as it gears up to carry on the legal battle in the apex court.

On whether the opposition leaders and MPs suggested any alternative, or whether they recommended a second emissary, Gowda replied that the government had no objection to send anyone, but it should be acceptable to Veerappan.

"We have no choice considering the sensitivity of the crisis, which is now in a delicate stage. Even the opposition leaders and MPs were unanimous that Rajakumar's safety and security were of of utmost importance, and nothing ultra vires should be done to endanger his precious life nor of the other two hostages (Govindraju and Nagesh)."

Kharge clarified that Krishna would not go to Madras on Wednesday as his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi would be at Nagarcoil, on official tour. "In fact, Karunanidhi had been kept informed on the outcome of Tuesday's parleys with the opposition parties and state MPs. They are in touch constantly."

On whether the state had decided to seek the Centre's intervention, or was there any such suggestion, Kharge said the consensus was to continue with the strategy although Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Srinivas Prasad, who represents Chamrajanagar constituency in the Lok Sabha and belongs to the Samata Party, had assured the state government that the Centre was ready to assist both states.

"The decision, in a nutshell, is to await the outcome of the Supreme Court, and at the same time, continue with negotiations through Gopal to convince Veerappan of the state's commitment to set all his 51 associates free once cleared by the apex court. Till then we will wait and watch," said Kharge.

On whether the sensational escape of hostage Nagappa had complicated the hostage crisis, Kharge said there appeared to be no impact, as nothing had changed for the worse since then.

"Though Gopal blamed Nagappa for his fourth abortive mission to the jungles, the ground reality remains the same. Rajakumar continues to be in the custody of Veerappan even as the emissary had claimed on his return to Madras Friday last that the hostages would be released in two to three days, meaning Tuesday. But that has not happened," Kharge asserted.

Of 28 MPs from Karnataka, 20 attended the meeting, convened by Krishna. Conspicuous by their absence was firebrand Congress MP and former state chief minister S Bangarappa, who criticised the mishandling of the hostage crisis.

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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