Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar on Saturday threatened Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa with "serious action" if his government indulged in "vendetta politics," as he demanded the restoration of allotment of medical college for Kanakapura.

In a letter to Chief Minister Shivakumar, who represents Kanakapura constituency, pointed out that the medical college was approved by the previous coalition government for which land was allotted and preparations were on to perform 'Bhoomi Puje' (ground breaking).

He alleged the BJP government on coming to power decided to cancel it and transfer the same to Chikballapura.

"I request you to immediately order restoration of the allotment of Medical College at Kanakapura and give a date for performing Bhoomi Puja.

I may also bring to your notice that if your government's sole intention is to play vendetta politics, I will be constrained to resort to serious action in my own way to get justice to the people of Kanakapura for which, I hope, you will not give scope," Shivakumar said.

He noted that he was shocked to learn that the single- member cabinet of Yediyurappa soon after coming to power took a decision to cancel the medical college overnight and transfer/re-allot the same to Chikballapura.

"I was totally dismayed that such a decision was taken by a person like you who made a promise in public that you would never resort to vendetta politics."

"I would like to reiterate that I have no objection whatsoever for allotment of Medical College to Chikballapura..

but, my objection is to the cancellation of the Medical College allotted to Kanakapura that too when the establishment of it was at an advanced stage," he added.

Terming it as his "dream project," Shivakumar had earlier vowed to "lay down his life" for a medical college in Kanakapura.

Pointing to Yediyurappa's statement soon after coming to power that he would never resort to vengeful politics and never allow politics to play any role in administration in the development, Shivakumar said, the subsequent developments in the administration have clearly manifested that in reality it is totally different.

However, he also claimed that Yediyurappa had recently stated about sanctioning a Medical College to Kanakapura and was enclosing a copy of the newspaper report in this connection with the letter.

Yediyurappa had recently said his government's plan was to have one medical college in each district and the decision to sanction medical colleges to taluk centres (like Kanakapura) will be taken only after such colleges come up in all districts.

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Jehanabad/Arwal (PTI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday launched several development projects and schemes valued at around Rs 405 crore in Jehanabad and Arwal districts during his ‘Samridhi Yatra’.

Of the programmes, Jehanabad received programmes worth Rs 252 crore and Arwal govt projects valued at Rs 153 crore, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Kumar also reviewed ongoing schemes and development projects in both districts.

“The CM launched development projects/schemes worth Rs 252 crore in Jehanabad district. These included the inauguration of 88 programmes costing Rs 70 crore and laying the foundation stones for 73 others worth Rs 182 crore,” the statement said.

Kumar inaugurated a stitching training-cum-production centre for Jeevika Didis at the old block office premises in Jehanabad.

The state government, through the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), an autonomous body under the Department of Rural Development, is spearheading a World Bank-aided rural livelihoods project with the objective of social and economic empowerment of the poor. Women associated with the project are called Jeevika Didis.

Encouraging Jeevika Didis associated with the centre, the CM said, “The government is providing all possible facilities. We are making every effort to promote self-employment among you.”

Later in the day, Kumar launched 272 development projects/schemes worth around Rs 153 crore in Arwal district. These included the inauguration of 250 programmes valued at Rs 90 crore and laying the foundation stones for 22 projects worth Rs 63 crore, said the statement.

The CM also inaugurated and inspected the upgradation work carried out at the government’s higher secondary school at Itwan. During the inspection, he reviewed the astronomy laboratory and smart learning hub at the school.

The chief minister directed officials to complete the work of all ongoing projects on time. He also reviewed the land identified for the Government Medical College and Hospital at Belkhara.