CM Siddaramaiah defends 1,000-day record, slams BJP as ‘jealous’ over Cong convention
Haveri (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said his government had kept its promises as it completed 1,000 days in office, describing the milestone as significant.
He asserted that the government had delivered on its commitments and would continue to pursue its welfare agenda.
Addressing reporters, the chief minister said the government’s programmes were aimed at empowering marginalised sections.
"These programmes focus on the welfare and empowerment of marginalised ones, including Dalits, women, backward classes and farmers. We will continue to implement them," he said.
To mark 1,000 days of the Congress government in Karnataka, title deeds will be distributed to around one lakh families at a convention here, it was announced on Friday.
Meanwhile, terming the past 1,000 days of the Congress government as "dark days", Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka questioned the significance of the event.
"For what achievement are they holding a convention?" he had asked.
Responding to the BJP’s criticism of the Congress’s achievement convention, Siddaramaiah said, "It is their jealousy because they did nothing in the last four years. That is why they are criticising us."
Questioning the opposition’s record, he said, "What did they do in the last four years? They made 600 promises. Not even 10 per cent of the promises made to the people of Karnataka were fulfilled."
"What moral right do they have to criticise us?" the chief minister asked.
Highlighting his government’s performance, the chief minister said, "We made 592 promises, of which 240 have been fulfilled. We will fulfil the remaining promises as well. The allegations against us are false."
Responding to repeated queries on party matters and leadership issues, Siddaramaiah said he had already made it clear that he would abide by the Congress high command.
"There is no need to repeat the same question. We have to follow what the high command says. All our party leaders must abide by its directions," he added.
Reacting to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s recent remarks, made after he met with the Congress high command in New Delhi, that he "lives on hope" and that sincere efforts always yield results, Siddaramaiah said, "Has the high command said anything? If not, let it be. I will go by their words."
Shivakumar met senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, as well as AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, during his Delhi visit.
On the pending Varada river project, Siddaramaiah said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) had already been prepared and sent to the Centre for approval.
According to officials, the Bedti-Varada river linking project is intended to divert 18 TMC surplus water from the west-flowing Bedti river basin (in Uttara Kannada district) to the drought-prone eastern side—districts like Gadag, Koppal, Raichur—via tunnels and canals, linking it to the Varada river for irrigation under the Tungabhadra Project command.
"It all depends on the Centre’s decision," he said, accusing the union government of "inaction".
"They have not decided on any matter. I have no trust or faith," he added.
Regarding the social and educational survey report, Siddaramaiah said it would "most likely be submitted by the end of this month or next month," after which the government would take an appropriate decision.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Hoskote accident: 'Joyride' set out secretly claims lives of six school students
_vb_20.jpeg)
Bengaluru (PTI): What began as an early morning "joyride" in an SUV ended in tragedy, claiming the lives of seven people, including six school students, who had set out secretly without informing their families, police said on Saturday.
The multi-vehicle pile-up occurred early Friday morning near M Satyavara on the Hoskote-Dabaspet Highway in Bengaluru Rural district, they said.
According to police, six students set out in an SUV for a "joyride". The SUV car allegedly being driven by one of the students, Ayan Ali, reportedly at 150-160 kmph was en route from Hoskote towards Devanahalli when it allegedly struck a motorcycle from behind.
Ali took his father's car without parents knowledge, police said.
The driver of the SUV allegedly lost control after the initial impact and crashed into a canter vehicle. Another car was also drawn into the wreckage, resulting in a severe pile-up.
Six occupants of the SUV and the motorcycle rider identified as 26-year-old Gagan, a resident of Devanahalli, died on the spot, police said.
The impact of the accident flung the two-wheeler rider off the vehicle, and he hit the metal side crash barrier with extreme force, leading to his death.
The other deceased were identified as Ahram Sharif (16), Ashvin Nayar, Eethan George, Ayan Ali, Bharath - all 17 years old; Mohammed Farhan Shaik (18), students of class 10 and 12.
Around 11 am on Friday, grieving parents gathered at MVJ Hospital near Hoskote, struggling to come to terms with the fact that their children had died in the accident.
Devastating scenes unfolded at the mortuary as the families of the students broke down when police asked them to identify bodies.
Many were in shock, unable to accept the news conveyed to them by the police as most of the families were unaware of their children's "joyride" and believed they were sleeping in their rooms at home.
Sharif's uncle, Baba Jaan, told reporters that Sharif didn't even know how to ride a two-wheeler.
Gagan's family said he was working at a private company and was the sole provider and the "eyes" of his visually impaired mother. Upon hearing the news of the death of her only son and anchor, the mother was inconsolable.
According to his family, Gagan was on his way home after finishing his night shift when the accident occurred. He would leave for work at 5 pm and return around 3 am.
"We got to know about the accident at around 6 am on Friday. He was the only child of his parents. His mother is partially visibly challenged. He has been running the family since his father's demise," Gagan's uncle told reporters here.
Police said further investigation is underway.
_vb_81.jpeg)
