Karnataka Minister Drives Without License

Published: Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 15:47 [IST]

Even as the political turmoil in Karnataka's ruling BJP has meant the government is not being driven in the right direction, here is a minister who has driven a bus and that too without proper experience or even a proper license. When traffic police are falling head over heels to propagate adherence to traffic rules, the Karnataka Fisheries minister Anand Asnotikar was found driving a bus in Karwar despite not having a heavy vehicle driving license.

The incident of Mr Anand Asnotikar driving the KSRTC bus happened in the coastal town of Karwar. The minister was there to inaugurate the bus services from Karwar to Manipal and Hassan. Immediately after the formal launch of the bus service, the minister after much goading by his supporters hopped in to the driver's seat and gunned the engine.

The minister also said he was not familiar with driving heavy vehicles and also said he did not have a proper license to drive a bus. However he relented and accepted his supporters wish. A help less KSRTC driver seen changing the gears for the minister while he steered the bus. People were seen running away to avoid the speeding bus.

The media persons in who had boarded the bus said the minister had little control on the bus. A mishap did occur as expected as Asnotikar hit a goods auto that was taking a U turn. The new KSRTC bus as well as the auto suffered damages. The KSRTC driver some how managed to stop the bus after which the minister got down and left the venue immediately.

The KSRTC officials and the local police were mute spectators to the whole event. The police have said they will not initiate any action against the minister as the auto driver was not injured. However they have not confirmed if they will take any action against the minister for driving a vehicle without a valid driving license.