7-8 senior legislators, ministers in race for CM post; administration has collapsed: Vijayendra
Sirsi (PTI): Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Monday claimed that the state’s administrative machinery has "completely collapsed" amid intensifying competition within the Congress for the chief minister’s post with at least seven to eight senior legislators and ministers reportedly in the race.
Alleging that the Siddaramaiah government has "neglected farmers in distress" amid the ongoing power tussle, he said the opposition will press for discussions on a host of issues, including farmers’ welfare and north Karnataka, during the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi from December 8, and seek accountability from the administration.
"The competition for the chief minister's chair is intensifying day by day. According to information I have, at least seven to eight senior legislators and ministers in the ruling party are competing to somehow become the CM," Vijayendra said.
Speaking to reporters, he said that as a result, the administrative machinery has completely collapsed.
Asked if the BJP would be ready if a faction within the Congress came out and sought to form a government with the BJP, Vijayendra said, "The voters of the state have given a clear mandate to the Congress and have made the BJP sit in the opposition. The BJP will function as an effective opposition and has no intentions to form the government."
Accusing the Siddaramaiah-led government of neglecting farmers since coming to power, Vijayendra said, "When the PM Kisan Yojana was introduced by the central government, the BJP government in the state, led by B S Yediyurappa, paid an additional Rs 4,000 to farmers, but that has now been stopped."
"When Basavaraj Bommai was the CM, he introduced the Raita Vidya Nidhi scheme (scholarship for agricultural labourers' children), but that too was stopped. It is unfortunate that the Siddaramaiah-led government is unable to come to the rescue of farmers, who are in distress due to rains and floods," he added.
"None of the ministers have visited affected areas or met farmers. On the whole, the government has completely forgotten the interests of the farmers. Amid internal fighting in the ruling party for the CM post, the administrative machinery has completely collapsed," Vijayendra further said.
Noting that he has held discussions with the Leader of Opposition, party leaders, and alliance partner JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy regarding the plan of action for the upcoming winter session, Vijayendra said, "Issues concerning north Karnataka are usually neglected and discussed on the last day during the winter session at Belagavi, just for the sake of it."
"But this time, the opposition parties have decided to press for discussion on issues concerning north Karnataka, farmers, and irrigation in the first three to four days itself," he added.
Alleging a "conspiracy" by the Congress government in the state for not properly implementing central government schemes, he said, "To get the money released for the central government schemes, the state government will have to submit a progress report."
"Without doing any of that, if they say central funds are not coming, and the state government is responsible for it, it is not right. To hide its failures, the state government puts the blame on the Centre, and it has become a habit for them," he added.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
