With his readiness to say sorry At the drop of a hat, chief minister Yeddyurappa is turning out to be an embarrassment for his government

India's most apologetic

With his readiness to say sorry at the drop of a hat, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa is turning out to be an embarrassment for his government

It seems that Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has become the sorry face of the state government. It was for the 17th time since he assumed office two years ago that he expressed how sorry he was in public, yesterday.
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This time, when he took the mike to address the media in Mangalore, it was only to tender an apology for the high handedness of government officials.

With this, Yeddyurappa has bagged the rather dubious distinction of being the most apologetic chief minister in the history of the state.

Taking a jibe at the CM, Siddaramiah, leader of the Opposition in the assembly, said, "I am not sure whether Yeddyurappa knows the meaning of the word.
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I am sorry to say this, but the way he is using the word in public makes one wonder if he knows its impact."

Yesterday's apology from the CM comes after the scribes threatened to boycott his visit to the district to launch developmental projects, following a scuffle with officials in the rush to take his photographs.

"I am sorry for what happened and I will ensure that such an incident is not repeated," said Yeddyurappa, when he addressed the media at the Circuit House.
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"Such incidents reflect badly on the government and I am concerned." He offered to suspend a sub-inspector, but the scribes said that was necessary, but he should ask his officials to behave instead.

Too sorry, Too soon

On Sunday, he was virtually begging for an excuse when he visited the government-run rehabilitation centre for beggars, where more than 25 died of food poisoning.

On August 15, Yeddyurappa ruffled feathers among his party colleagues when he apologised on behalf of B N Bache Gowda, who was embroiled in a controversy after he allegedly assaulted a real estate businessman for overtaking his car on the highway.

"I don't know why the Chief Minister said sorry even before I gave my explanation," said Gowda. "His intention may be good, but he should use the word with discretion."

Merely a day before, Yeddyurappa had publicly said sorry for his failure to provide uninterrupted power in the state.

Master of apologies

With so many apologies tendered till date, Yeddyurappa has covered a whole range of issues that he has felt sorry for. He sought pardon on the very first day of the assembly session after he assumed office.
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This was over an incident in which the police had opened fire on farmers agitating against acute shortage of fertilisers and seeds in June 2008. There has been no stopping him since.

Perhaps the most dramatic moment was when he wept on camera to say sorry for dropping his closest female friend Shobha Karandlaje from the cabinet, reportedly under pressure from the Reddy brothers who had raised a banner of revolt against him last year.

On the same occasion, he apologised to the people for "crippled administration" with legislators holed up in hotels in Hyderabad and Goa as part of dissidence spearheaded by the Reddys.

Last month, he apologetically admitted in the assembly that his government was not able to check illegal mining in the state.
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This was followed by an unruly scene in the house, when the provoked CM made threatening gestures at Opposition members.

Even then, Yeddyurappa was prompt to say sorry to end the crisis. However, the incident led the Congress to organise a protest march from Bangalore to Bellary.

Last year, he had also apologised for not keeping the promise of building houses for flood victims in north Karnataka.

He was sorry for attacks on churches as well as for the fact that he had not been able to keep even 30 per cent of his budgetary promises.

"It only indicates the sorry state of affairs in the government. It also shows that Yeddyurappa, after a long stint in the Opposition, is not prepared to lead the ruling party," said Aswin Kumar, a political analyst.

However, the CM has no qualms. "Whenever we falter, it is good to admit our mistakes and say sorry. I hope people will appreciate this gesture," he said.

Sorry state

June 2008
When police opened fire on farmers in Haveri

Nov 2009
When Shobha Karandlaje was dropped from the cabinet

July 2010
Admits that ore is being plundered

August 2010
When Bache Gowda assaulted a real estate businessman

August 2010
Admits he failed to provide uninterrupted power supply

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