Loan waiver promise will be fulfilled in couple of days: BS Yeddyurappa
Bengaluru, May 17: Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa on Thursday said that the BJP's promise to waive farm loans of up to Rs. 1 lakh from nationalised and co-operative banks, which the party had made before elections to the people of Karnataka, would soon be fulfilled.
Addressing a press conference here, the CM said that he would present the statistics in the evening or tomorrow morning after writing the state general secretary to take action on loan waiver. Yeddyurappa assured that he would take action in this regard once the information made available to him.
Cabinet expansion after proving majority
When media asked him about cabinet expansion, Yeddyurappa replied that the state cabinet expansion would take place only after the majority gets tested in the House. "Besides, we have planned to make the cabinet expansion grandly in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, chief ministers of all the BJP ruled states; in front of lakhs of people," BSY stated.
"I have become Chief Minister for the third time. This was possible only with the support of Karnataka people; especially farmers, Dalits and the backward classes. I am grateful to them," Yeddyurappa said.
"Though the people gave support to Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) have formed an ‘unholy' alliance to come to power despite being rejected by the people," he accused.
How do you prove majority?
When asked: How do you prove the majority, the CM said "do not talk about the vote of confidence. The case is in the Supreme Court. Wait until tomorrow."
BJP leaders and MLAs CM Udasi, Basavaraja Bommai, Hartal Halappa, Prabhu Chauhan, Siddu Savadi and SR Viswanath were present.
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Won't contest bypolls until EC prevents fake voting: Mayawati
Lucknow (PTI): BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday alleged irregularities in voting in the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls and said her party will not contest by-elections in future, particularly in the state, "until Election Commission takes measures to prevent fake voting".
By-elections to nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh were held on November 20 and results of it were declared on Saturday. Bahujan Samaj Party contested all nine seats but failed to win any.
"In the bypolls held for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, there is widespread discussion about the votes cast and the results announced yesterday. I am not saying this myself; it is a common perception among people that earlier, during elections conducted with ballot papers, fake votes were cast by misusing the system, often through fraud," Mayawati said in a press conference here.
"Now, similar practices are being carried out using EVMs, which is a matter of deep sorrow and concern for democracy," the former UP chief minister said.
Not only this, but these activities are now being executed more openly, especially during by-elections, as opposed to general elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, she claimed.
"We recently witnessed this in the Uttar Pradesh bypolls. Similar concerns have also been raised regarding the recent general elections in Maharashtra. This is a major warning bell for democracy in our country," she said.
"Given this situation, our party has decided that until the Election Commission of India takes strict measures to prevent fake voting, we will not participate in any by-elections across the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. I am specifically referring to by-elections here," Mayawati said.
As far as general elections are concerned, she continued, there is a somewhat better safeguard because the fear of power changing hands makes the ruling party more cautious.
"In general elections, it is not guaranteed that the party in power will return to power and another party may take over. This fear keeps the government machinery somewhat restrained," she added.
Considering all these factors, our party will contest general elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies with full preparation and strength, Mayawati stressed.
In the bypolls, the BJP and its ally RLD together won seven seats while Samajwadi Party candidates emerged victorious on two.
