Bommai panic stricken over response to Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka: Congress
Chitradurga (Karnataka) (PTI): The Congress hit out at the BJP on Tuesday, saying Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is panic-stricken over the response that the Bharat Jodo Yatra is getting in his state and accused him of running a "corrupt" and "incompetent" government.
Congress in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said Bommai should stop befooling people and posed a set of 10 questions to him, asking why has he not taken action in corruption cases.
The remarks came as Bommai and BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa started their Jana Sankalpa Yatra on Tuesday.
"Panic-stricken by the sea of people marching in BharatJodoYatra, CM Bommai-Yediyurappa begin their 'Plane-Helicopter' Yatra today.
"First, People of Karnataka want answers -- Was Yediyurappa removed as CM on charges of corruption? Has a corruption FIR lodged against him now by Lokayukta? Isn't the BJP government known Nationwide as '40PercentSarkara'?" Surjewala asked on Twitter.
"Isn't #PayCM the buzzword on everyone's mouth? Why have you not taken action on 40% commission complaint of 'contractors' association'? Why have you not acted on the 40% commission complaint of 13,000 Private Schools Association?" he asked.
The Congress leader also asked why has even Matta's Swamiji accused the Bommai government of 40-per cent commission and why Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs themselves are accusing the government as "most corrupt".
"Why are your own MLAs saying even CM post is on sale for ?2,500 crores? Haven't your own ministers saying that there is no government in Karnataka and you are just passing time?" Surjewala asked.
"Mr. Bommai, the plain truth is...you have zero plans, zero vision for Karnataka -- yours is a zero-sum game. You lord over the most corrupt government in India. Your incompetence is becoming legendary and your mal-administration is exemplary. Stop fooling people, people will defeat you," the Congress leader said in a series of tweets.
Bommai and Yediyurappa launched the saffron party's yatra in the southern state from Raichur on Tuesday, in the run-up to the Assembly polls next year.
The two leaders are scheduled to cover 52 Assembly segments by December 25 as part of the Jana Sankalpa Yatra.
The ruling party's tour begins at a time when the Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, is passing through Karnataka.
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3 killed in landslide during road widening at Hulikal ghats in K'taka, CM announces ex-gratia
Shivamogga (Karnataka) (PTI): Three labourers were killed and four others injured after a landslide struck a road construction site at Hulikal Ghat in this district, police said on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Raghavendra (37), Raju (30), and Shabbir (40), all engaged in wall construction work at the site, they said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased.
The incident occurred late Thursday afternoon at a hairpin bend in Hulikal Ghat in Hosanagara taluk, they said.
According to officials, a massive landslide of soil and rocks from the hillside buried the workers.
A total of seven workers were caught in the landslip. Three labourers died on the spot after being trapped under the debris.
Rescue teams managed to pull out four injured workers and shift them to hospitals in nearby areas, including Kundapura and Udupi, for treatment, they said.
The mishap took place during ongoing efforts to build a retaining wall aimed at ensuring the safety of vehicles navigating the ghat section, which is known for its steep curves and landslide-prone terrain.
An SDRF team from Mangaluru reached the place early Friday morning and took up relief work.
Police, fire and emergency personnel rushed to the spot soon after the incident and launched rescue operations.
Authorities said the sudden collapse of loose soil and rocks from the upper slope is suspected to have triggered the landslip.
A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to ascertain whether adequate safety measures were in place at the worksite.
Taking to 'X', CM Siddaramaiah said that regarding the incident, I have spoken with District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa and obtained information.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the news that three workers lost their lives when soil collapsed during the construction of a road barrier at a bend in Hulikal Ghat, in Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district. I pray that the souls of the deceased unfortunate workers attain eternal peace, and that their family members find the strength to bear this sorrow," he said.
These breadwinning lives, which were the support of their families, have been lost in this tragedy, and on humanitarian grounds, a compensation of Rs five lakh each will be provided to the families of the deceased workers, the chief minister added.
