Karnataka Bandh: A wrong step forward
Ironically enough, BJP staged a walk out on the very first assembly meet of the new government. The leader of opposition, Yeddyurappa was unable to provide an appropriate reason for his decision to stay out of this democratic process. And, on the same note, he has also gifted a ‘Karnataka Bandh’ on Monday, to the people of the state. This is a clear indication of the things to come from BJP’s side. The party has decided to post hurdles in the administration of the government. The Karnataka Bandh seems to have zero interest about farmers, and total selfishness of a political party that missed its date with the power. Their main agenda now is to get father-sons party (JD(S)) into some quagmire.
The occasion of trust vote of the new government held everybody’s attention for many reasons. Though the new CM Kumaraswamy was in the focus that day, the highlight of the occasion was former CM Siddaramaiah. He made a very touching and informed speech regarding the duty of a speaker before the election for the post took place. He referred to the greatest personalities of the past who had adorned the chair such as Vaikunta Baliga among the others. Finally, Suresh Kumar of BJP withdrew from the race and added a lot of dignity to that position.
Ramesh Kumar was chosen unopposed to that position and he conducted the session to seek trust vote with utmost dignity and grace befitting a veteran.
He praised Siddaramaiah’s visionary administration and his ability to run the government smoothly without any financial mismanagement. Though Siddaramaiah announced many welfare schemes, not a single cheque issued by the government bounced causing loss to the bearer. He meant to say though Siddaramaiah launched schemes especially for the poor, none of them took away the share of what’s due to the other members of the government. This is the biggest reward a CM could get from a speaker. This made Kumaraswamy turn towards Siddaramaiah and the entire session on that day was laced by this positivity.
On the other hand, Yeddyurappa’s speech immediately after lacked clarity and seemed like continuation of his campaign speeches. He reduced the dignity of the session. His desperation of having been unable to hold the reins of state administration despite 104 seat victory while HDK was sitting in the CM’s chair with mere 38 seats, must have pushed him to some limits.
He tried to split the government, with his speech. Surprisingly he praised Siddaramaiah, to drive the damage a bit deeper into the psyche of those sitting in the assembly hall. He said the results had ensured Parameshwar and DK Shivakumar came to the forefront, pushing Siddaramaiah to the background. He was highly sympathetic towards Siddaramaiah in his speech. He said Congress and its leaders need to hold on to their self respect, else the father-sons party would erode all their dignity by pitching leaders such as DKS and Siddaramaiah, Parameshwar among others, against each other.
This surprising change in BSY’s tone and tenor must have a solid reason. He knew he’d need the help of JD(S) should his party not garner enough number of seats. But, the overconfidence of BJP led the party into this situation today. While he sees HDK being the CM, BSY sees Congress as lesser enemy and JD(S) as a bigger enemy.
Hence, BSY spoke in a manner that he’d never need the help of JD(S) to form a government ever again. And also called for Karnataka Bundh, in the context of farmer loan waivers. This might come back to bite BJP because this bundh comes at a time when bypolls are being held. Though HDK had said he would do loan waiver, he is not in a position to take unilateral decisions owing to the fact that the state has coalition government. If BSY indeed had such love for farmers, why didn’t he push the central government into waiving off loans of farmers?
Having lost the trust vote, BSY who is also the leader of opposition is taking wrong steps. He needs to understand if he slips up, his own partymen would be more than happy to see him falter.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
LoP Ashoka targets CM govt over corruption, says being 'shameless' in public life not forgivable
Bengaluru (PTI): Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka on corruption, BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday said, being foolish was forgivable, but being "shameless" in public life was not.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly claimed that in just 30 months of its tenure, the Congress administration has broken every previous record on corruption-related controversies.
He was responding to Siddaramaiah's post on 'X' on Thursday hitting back at the BJP, stating that Upa Lokayukta Justice Veerappa's claims of "63 per cent corruption" were based on his report in November 2019, when BJP's B S Yediyurappa was the CM.
"But Ashoka, without understanding the Upa Lokayukta's statement properly, has ended up tying the BJP's own bells of sins onto our heads and has effectively shot himself in the foot," the CM had said, as he accused Ashoka of foolishness for trying to twist Veerappa's statement to target the current government.
Responding, Ashoka said, "it is one thing to be called foolish in politics, that can be forgiven."
"But in public life, especially in the Chief Minister's chair, one must never become shameless," Ashoka posted on 'X' on Friday addressing Siddaramaiah.
Noting that the CM himself had admitted on the floor of the Assembly that a Rs 87 crore scam took place in the Valmiki Development Corporation, he said that when a CM acknowledges such a massive irregularity inside the floor of the House, the natural expectation is immediate action and accountability.
"But instead of taking responsibility, you continue in office as if nothing has happened. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
Pointing out that the CM's Economic Advisor and senior Congress MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy had publicly stated that under Congress rule, Karnataka has become No.1 in corruption, Ashoka said, "Yet, you still cling to the Chief Minister's chair without a moment of introspection. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness."
Senior Congress MLA C R Patil had exposed the "money for House" racket in the Housing Department and even warned that the government would collapse if the details he has were made public, Ashoka said.
"Despite such serious allegations from within your own party (Congress), you neither initiated an inquiry nor acted against the concerned minister. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," Ashoka asked the CM.
Highlighting the "40 percent commission" allegation Congress made against the previous BJP government, the opposition leader said, the commission that the Siddaramaiah government appointed concluded that the accusation was baseless.
"After your own panel demolished your own claim, what moral right do you have to continue repeating that allegation. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
For the last two and a half years, Karnataka has been 'drowning' in corruption, scandals, irregularities and allegations across departments. Ashoka said, "If I begin listing every case that emerged under your government, even 24 hours would not be enough."
"And the most tragic aspect of your administration is this: the unbearable pressure, corruption demands and administrative harassment under your government pushed several officers and contractors into extreme distress - including the suicide of Chandrasekharan which exposed the Valmiki Development Corporation scam - a sign of how deeply broken the system has become under your watch," he said.
Instead of fixing this hopeless environment, the government has tried to bury every complaint and silence every voice, he charged.
"Being foolish is forgivable, but being shameless in public life is definitely not."
"When your own ministers admit scams, when your own advisors certify Karnataka as No.1 in corruption, and when your own MLAs expose rackets inside your departments - clinging to power without accountability is not leadership. It is shamelessness in its purest form." PTI KSU
Earlier on Thursday Ashoka had demanded that the corruption case and allegations in the state against the Congress government be handed over to a CBI investigation, citing a reported statement by Upalokaykta Justice Veerappa alleging "63 per cent corruption", following which Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP leader.
