Coastal Karnataka needs able leadership now
The JD(S) and Congress coalition government has come into existence. H D Kumaraswamy, a very down to earth person and an excellent politician has taken oath to the office of CM. During his last term as Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy had introduced the concept of ‘village stay’ and had tried his best to eliminate the distance between the common person and the rulers. Though it was criticized by some, Kumaraswamy became a familiar face in rural Karnataka. It was too early in 2008, and he didn’t have the experience to build on that and manage his image thereafter. The coalition with BJP had complicated the matters for him. Yet, he had tried to deliver his best. This time around, his coalition is with a secular party – Congress – which has extended its support to him being the CM.
He is experienced too, this time around and has firm support and guidance of his father senior politician former Prime Minister Devegowda. Hence, the expectations from his government are high this time. Farmers’ distress and communal clashes are the most important challenges that the coalition government would be facing this term.
BJP had faced a humiliating defeat in 2013 assembly elections in Coastal Karnataka. BJP leaders had brought it upon themselves. But the lotus has bloomed again in undivided coastal Karnataka and BJP has won the seats. The party never sought elections in the name of development or progress. It went to the voters with ‘hindutva’ card. Sangh Parivar did all it can, to start communal clashes and seek votes in coastal Karnataka. Naturally BJP reaped the benefit of that in elections. Though the Sangh parivar tried to create similar clashes in other parts of the state, and the government couldn’t contain these efforts. As a result, Congress paid a heavy price in the elections.
Now that the BJP is deeply disappointed at not having been able to form the government, it will do everything it can, to destabilize the current government. It may spread anarchy starting from coastal Karnataka in order to create troubles for the government. Now that the Sangh Parivar is well established through politics too in this area, things would get easier too. Without any standing in the past, Sangh Parivar could wield the power. Now with powerful positions to its men, things become even easier than before.
Hence, it is imperative that the government elects a strong statesman as district incharge for coastal Karnataka. Except for Mangalore constituency, there is not a single Cong JD(S) MLA in the area. The government should not select someone weak for district incharge minister coming under some pressure or as a return to some favours. The inexperienced would only indirectly hand over the area to those experienced miscreants who can play their games taking advantage of the situation.
CM Kumaraswamy must identify a strong experienced leader who can take care of this area really well, with their political acumen and enable people to live here with peace. Congress has many such leaders, they must be put to service. This step is highly necessary in order to run the government without any troubles brewing here for the next five years.
The undivided coastal Karnataka, especially Mangalore, is the core of development and business. People would want to invest in Mangalore because the area holds a large potential. All the schemes and plans that were started last time, are waiting to get to the next level and works are in progress. Thousands of crores are being invested here. Miscreants can raze all this to dust with their evil plans. An able minister can steer the area towards development with his focus. The Ettina Hole project is mired in controversy and the unrest among people is palpable. Development and peace are what coastal area needs now and to enable this, an able leader is required in this area. This area needs to be calm to enable development works to go further. Our CM needs to understand this requirement and appoint a good able leader for this area.
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CAG must audit how policies benefited private firms: Cong on fuel excise duty hike under Modi govt
New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI): Accusing the government of "looting" people by increasing excise duty on petrol and diesel, the Congress on Sunday called for fixing accountability and demanded that the CAG should audit how government policies benefited private companies.
The opposition party also demanded that the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should investigate whether there was deliberate negligence or collusion in this.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said, "The people of India are being looted — on one hand the Modi government is increasing the tax burden and picking people's pockets, while on the other hand private and government oil companies are making profits! This is open economic exploitation!''
"The truth is: In May 2014, the excise duty on petrol was Rs 9.20 and on diesel Rs 3.46. Which is now Rs 19.90 on petrol and Rs 15.80 on diesel in the Modi government — an increase of 357% and 54%!" he said in his post in Hindi.
The Congress leader claimed that the government earned Rs 39.54 lakh crore from the petroleum sector in the last eleven years, yet it did not give any relief to people.
"In May 2014, crude oil was USD 108/barrel, today it is only USD 65.31 — i.e. 40% cheaper, yet the prices of petrol and diesel are higher than the UPA era," Ramesh said.
"In 2014, petrol in Delhi was Rs 71.41 and diesel Rs 55.49 per liter. Today the same petrol is Rs 94.77 and diesel Rs 87.67 per liter — the public is being openly looted. Who is benefiting?" he asked.
The Congress leader said along with government companies, the private oil companies are also earning huge profits from refining and marketing, while the common man is burdened with expensive petrol and diesel.
"The issue is serious! CAG should audit how the government policies benefited these private companies. CVC and CBI should investigate whether there was deliberate negligence or collusion in this?" Ramesh said.
"Public money needs to be accounted for — accountability must be fixed," he asserted.
The Congress general secretary shared a media report, which stated that oil firms were benefiting big time but now lowering prices for people.
The Congress had last week taken a swipe at the government over the hike in excise duty on petrol and diesel, with Rahul Gandhi stating Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally gave a befitting reply to "tariffs".
Gandhi had also said that people suffering from inflation had been given another gift of "government loot".
The government hiked excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre each. The excise duty on petrol was hiked to Rs 13 per litre and that on diesel to Rs 10 a litre.
भारत की जनता लूटी जा रही है — मोदी सरकार द्वारा एक तरफ़ टैक्स का बोझ बढ़ाकर जहां जनता की जेब काट रही है, वहीं दूसरी तरफ़ प्राइवेट व सरकारी तेल कंपनियां मुनाफ़ा कमा रही हैं!
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 13, 2025
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1. मई 2014 में पेट्रोल पर एक्साइज ड्यूटी ₹9.20 और डीज़ल पर… pic.twitter.com/1JAYmNVUa7
