The day BS Yeddyurappa took charge as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for the third time, he withdrew police cover for Eagleton resort, where the Congress MLAs are staying.
Confirming that the police personnel stationed outside the resort had been withdrawn, Congress leader DK Shivakumar told TNM, "The security is withdrawn. There are MLAs staying here and they are entitled to security. This is petty."
He added that given the hostile circumstances, the Congress will be forced to move MLAs out of the state.
Yeddyurappa also effected three transfers in the state’s police brass. The most vital of them is that Annamalai, the SP of Chikkamagaluru, has now been named the SP of Ramanagara, under the jurisdiction of which Eagleton Resort falls. Speaking to TNM, Annamalai confirmed the development and is expected to take charge in Ramanagara as soon as he receives his movement ceritificate.
Another important transfer is that of Sandeep Patil who has been appointed as Deputy Inspector General (Intelligence). He previously held the position of Deputy Inspector General of Police, KSRP (Karnataka State Reserve Police).
S Girish who was earlier the Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been posted as DCP Bengaluru (North East Division). Other changes in the police ranks include the transfer of Bidar SP Devaraja to DCP Bengaluru Central.
The changes in postings have been made with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, changes have also been made in the state's bureaucracy - M Lakshminarayana, who was the Additional Chief Secretary of Public Works has been named as the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Additionally, the notification declared that the post of Additional Chief Secretary to CM is equivalent to the cadre post of Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Home Department.
Along with the administrative changes, the police cover at the Eagleton resort, where the Congress MLAs are staying, has also been removed.
During the erstwhile government, the Opposition, including present coalition partner JD(S), had alleged that the Congress had abused the state intelligence department for political gains.
Explaining the changes, a senior police officer said, "Generally, when a CM comes to power, there are 2-3 crucial postings that the CM wants. He will want the DG to be his own person because the DG looks after the political stability of the government. If you look at the Intelligence manual, the first line says that the role of the Intelligence is to make sure the CM is given enough data to make a good decision. An Intelligence reshuffle is expected. There are some key areas where they want to have their own people. We should not mistake this for bias."
"Sometimes they want somebody who's knowledgeable, somebody who is street smart, somebody who's got common sense. They start making different decisions depending upon the timing and the situation the CM is in. That is why subsequent updations have happened," the senior official added.