BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'failing to manage' floods in Kalyana Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Opposition BJP on Tuesday accused the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka of "failing to manage" the flood situation in the Kalyana Karnataka region, with LoP R Ashoka claiming the government was “dead” for the people.
The Leader of Opposition took a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for conducting an aerial survey of flood-affected areas instead of visiting them personally.
Siddaramaiah on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgiri, and Vijayapura districts, which have been affected by floods in the Bhima river basin following incessant rainfall in Kalaburagi and surrounding areas, and excess release of water from Maharashtra’s Ujani and Neera reservoirs.
“People are asking what kind of government this is. This government is dead for the people. The government has totally failed in managing the flood situation. We are making a direct allegation that it has failed to respond to the concerns of the people,” Ashoka told reporters here.
Taking a dig at the CM by calling him “Helicopter Siddaramaiah,” the LoP said, “Are you (CM) coming from Delhi or Mumbai for conducting the aerial survey? You’re doing an aerial survey of your own state? Is this to avoid bad roads and pothole-filled roads, which have become a global news? Or are you doing the aerial survey, fearing that people may gherao you if you travel by road?”
“You (Siddaramaiah) should have gone to affected districts, sat down with officials and farmers there, and announced compensation for crops, and also the release of funds for restoration of destroyed roads, schools and anganwadis, among others,” he added.
Questioning the delay in providing relief, Ashoka asked whether the state government’s coffers had gone empty.
“Are you planning to blame the Centre for this delay too?” he asked, adding that the government should have taken up relief work on a “war footing” by calling meetings, appointing senior secretary-level officers as nodal officers, and forming a team of ministers to visit the affected areas.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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