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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Punjab CM Mann meets President Murmu, seeks cancellation of membership of 6 RS members
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the termination of the membership of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the BJP and also pressed for the introduction of a constitutional provision allowing for the recall of members.
Accompanied by party MLAs and ministers, Mann visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
This meeting followed a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on April 24, when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal -- quit and merged with the BJP, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who left AAP hailed from Punjab.
After he met with the President, Mann addressed the media here, describing the departure of the seven MPs as a "murder" of the Constitution. He stated, "Seven MPs merging with another party is completely unconstitutional. I spoke to Rashtrapati ji in detail."
Mann pointed out that he told the President that the BJP holds only two MLA seats (in Punjab), yet now has six MPs in the Rajya Sabha. He questioned, "How can this be possible? Isn't it a mockery of the Constitution?
"If they are such revolutionaries at heart, then they should have resigned from their six seats. The AAP could have sent someone else," Mann said, taking a swipe at them.
He emphasised the need for a recall provision in the Constitution, referencing MP Raghav Chadha's previous demands for such a measure when members fail to meet public expectations.
"Have you lived up to the expectations of the people?" Mann challenged the MPs during his statement.
Mann also presented a letter to the President, signed by all AAP MLAs. He differentiated between the terms 'elected' and 'selected,' stating, "They were 'selected.' Therefore, their membership should be cancelled."
The President assured Mann that she would consult constitutional experts before responding.
Earlier in the day, Mann, along with party MLAs, departed for Delhi from Chandigarh.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Mann affirmed that all AAP MLAs stand united with the party. "Only I have been given time for the meeting," Mann said.
"The President is the guardian of the Constitution. She is the constitutional head of the country," he added.
Later in a post on X in Hindi, Mann said, "Our struggle to protect Punjab's rights and interests continues. Today, along with all AAP MLAs, I have left to discuss Punjab's burning issues and present the state's strong voice before the President.
As your public servant, our government remains fully committed to Punjab's prosperity and the safeguarding of the rights of every section of society."
The MLAs and ministers gathered at the chief minister's residence in the morning before heading to Delhi, carrying placards that read 'Punjab Mann De Naal' and 'Punjab's Traitors.'
The legislators left for Delhi in buses.
Mann had previously sought an appointment with the President to meet with party MLAs and demand the "recall" of the Rajya Sabha MPs who defected to the BJP. However, only Mann was given a time slot for the meeting.
