Air travel saves time, spent far lesser than ex-CM Basavaraj Bommai: Siddaramaiah tells BJP MLA
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah upheld his decision to travel by air on various occasions and to nearby places, arguing that it saved time and by putting before the Assembly expenses incurred by his predecessor Basavaraj Bommai.
Replying on the state budget on Thursday, the CM referred to BJP legislator H Vishwanath’s query regarding the money spent on his travel by air.
According to Deccan Herald, the senior MLA of the Opposition pointed out that while the CM was using a flight for a one-hour journey between Mysuru and Bengaluru, adding that the tax-payers’ money was used for the journey.
Siddaramaiah snapped at Vishwanath, asking if Bommai had not done the same. “Bommai had spent Rs 37 crore in 2022-23. Was that not extravagant?” Siddaramaiah asked the BJP MLA.
Presenting the figures before the House, Siddaramaiah said he had spent Rs 54 crore on air travel in the three years since he took charge as CM. He had spent Rs 12 crore in 2023-24, and Rs 21 crore each in the next two financial years, the CM said, challenging the Opposition to compare the figures with those of Bommai’s expenses on air travel.
The BJP members clarified that they had raised objections only to the special trips of Siddaramaiah to Chikkaballapur, which is situated barely 60 km away from Bengaluru, and not his trips to Delhi.
Clarifying from his front, the CM said he traveled by air to short distances as a chief minister had long hours of work and it was important to save time.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that the money spent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on foreign trips was as high as Rs 814 crore.
In response, however, the BJP and the JD(S) members walked out of the house, expressing dissent over the state budget.
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Kerala Polls: Tharoor says any CPI(M)-BJP deal won’t work, Congress has people’s support
Alappuzha (Kerala) (PTI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday said any alleged deal between the CPI(M) and the BJP would not work in the elections, asserting that the Congress has a “deal with the people”.
Speaking to reporters during an election campaign in Kayamkulam, Tharoor said if any such understanding exists, it could only be between the CPI(M) and the BJP.
“The Left’s aim is to continue in power. The BJP’s aim is to eliminate the Congress. So if there is any deal, it will be between the Left and the BJP,” he said.
He alleged that the Left believes it can benefit if anti-incumbency votes are split.
“They know that if the BJP eats into Congress votes, it will benefit them. That is the deal,” he said.
Tharoor said the Congress, on the other hand, has the deal with the people.
“We are asking people to stand with us. If we win, you will lead the state. A new government will address Kerala’s issues,” he said.
He added that voters are aware of whom to support.
“Whatever deal may happen, people know that voting for the BJP is a waste. The BJP has no seats here. Even if they win two or three seats, can they form a government?” he asked.
He said the electoral contest in Kerala is essentially between the UDF and the LDF.
“A majority of people want to remove the LDF government, and for that they have to vote for the UDF,” he said.
Tharoor also criticised the state government, alleging that despite extensive public relations exercises, it has failed to address people’s concerns.
He referred to the expenditure of Rs 11.5 lakh from the public exchequer for an interview of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by actor Mohanlal, and said such efforts have not helped address public issues.
He said inflation and the reported loss of gold from Sabarimala remain major concerns among the public.
He questioned how the LDF could seek another term despite what he termed "poor performance and corruption" over the past 10 years.
Praising Congress candidate M Liju, who is contesting from Kayamkulam, Tharoor said an efficient leader like him should be elected to the Assembly.
He said the Congress manifesto would be released soon and that the party has a clear development vision for the state.
“Young people should assess whether they have employment opportunities here. Has this government been able to attract investments? We have ideas for development and need young leaders like Liju in the Assembly,” he said.
