Bangalore, Sept 26: In a move that can embarrass the S M Krishna Government in Karnataka, former chief minister S Bangarappa today fully backed the September 28 statewide bandh called to put pressure for release of actor Rajkumar from the clutches of forest brigand Veerappan.Asserting that neither the party nor the government had taken any decision on the bandh called by Rajkumar Fans Association and pro-Kannada organisations, Bangarappa told reporters here that he was `not embarassing anyone'.Bangarappa, a Lok Sabha member, said he would not like to blame either the Karnataka or the Tamil Nadu Government on the Rajkumar kidnap issue but added that both states should request for `direct intervention' by the Centre to help secure Rajkumar's release.``Unless there is a direct and definite intervention by the Centre, I don't see any relief'', he said. The Centre should intervene as it did in the Kandahar case involving release of Indian Airlines passengers by hijackers after militants were freed, he said.Asked if his stand to support the bandh was not coming in conflict with the position of the state government, he replied in the negative, saying the party had not taken any decision on the issue.``I hold my view. The government has not taken any decision'', he said, when asked about appeals by the government to call off the bandh. Asked how many in his party supported his decision, he said, ``I have not discussed with anybody. It is my own decision''.Asked if Congress president Sonia Gandhi had asked him to help the state government in view of the bandh, Bangarappa shot back, ``I am nobody to offer help unless I am consulted''.Expressing concern over the delay in securing the release of Rajkumar and saying that it was a matter of state interest, he said, ``the entire Karnataka is under heavy tension''. ``If something happens (to Rajkumar), it will have a bearing on law and order'', he added. Rajkumar, he said, was a legendary figure.Justifying the call for the bandh, he said even state governments had sponsored bandhs when it came to matters of national or state interest.``We have to show our solidarity (through the bandh)'', he said but added that it should be within the framework of law and should be peaceful.Answering a question, he said there was a possibility of securing the release on bail of 51 TADA detenues, who were suspected associates of Veerappan, soon after an order by a Mysore court. ``That opportunity should have been used'', he said.He said the detenues had been languishing in jails for seven to eight years without conviction and it might take a similar number of years for the trial to be completed.Bangarappa said he was not supporting the bandh because Rajkumar was his relative. Bangarappa's daughter is married to Rajkumar's actor son Shivrajkumar.He said he would also meet the President, Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to plead for Central intervention in the kidnap issue.To a question, he said ``we have to bow to the verdict of the Supreme Court''. The court verdict might take time, he said, adding the Centre should take more initiative.
