Mysuru: Three days after member of the erstwhile royal family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, in an apparent reply to District Minister Dr. Yathindra’s public statements about the Palace ownership,  issued a 5-page press statement detailing about the ownership of the Palace, Golden Howdah and other issues concerning the Palace properties, Dr. Yathindra asserted he never said the Palace belongs to the Government, but had only said that the Palace belongs to the people as it was built out of tax payers money. 

Speaking to press persons here yesterday, Dr. Yathindra admitted about having said that the Government pays ‘rent’ to the Palace for getting the Golden Howdah used during Jumboo Savari procession. “But the Royal family said that it is not rent, but what the Government pays is ‘Royalty’ for the Golden howdah. There is not much difference about this. I have not said that the Palace was not built by the Maharajas of Mysore. But the Palace was built using tax payers money and as such it belongs to the people. One should understand that the Government or the monarchy runs from the tax payers money. As such everything belongs to the people,” he contended. 

Maintaining that the royal family has been extending co-operation during Dasara, the Minister said, however, this year there were some confusions. The Chief Minister will talk to the royal family members for clearing the confusions, he noted. 

Commenting on the cancellation of the traditional ‘Jatti Kalaga’ this year, Dr. Yathindra said he has sought a report from the officials concerned regarding it. “ The Government has received complaints on  lapses or apathy by officials, including the Palace ACP. The Government is yet to receive the final report and will surely take action against such officials who have erred”, he said. 

Replying to a question on the differences between former CM Siddaramaiah and former District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Dr. Yathindra said he had met Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa last week and sought his co-operation for the ‘Samvidhan Divas’ event to take place in Mysuru on Nov. 26.  

Asserting that Dr. Mahadevappa was not spearheading  an alternative event on that day, he said that however some organisations may hold it, in which Dr. Mahadevappa won’t take part.  

Contending that the relationship between his father Siddaramaiah and Dr. Mahadevappa is good, Dr. Yathindra said, however, there may be a few minor  differences, which would not hurt their relationship.