Financial condition of Karnataka worsened due to ''guarantee schemes'': Ex-PM Deve Gowda
Bengaluru (PTI): Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Friday alleged that the financial condition of Karnataka has worsened due to the 'five guarantee' schemes being implemented by the Congress government.
He also claimed that there is no money to deal with the severe flood situation in six districts of north Karnataka, including Kalaburagi.
The JD(S) patriarch said he would visit Kalaburagi and neighbouring flood-hit regions within a week to assess the ground situation. Maharashtra's release of water from its dams has led to flooding in the Bhima and Krishna rivers. Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Bidar and Yadgir are among the worst-affected districts.
Apart from crop loss, many houses have been damaged and there has been loss of human lives as well as livestock.
Gowda also said he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek compensation for the flood-affected people.
"The financial condition of the state has worsened due to 'guarantees'. It’s not me who is saying this, but the Congress MLAs,” the former PM said at a press conference.
Pointing to disarray within the ruling party, the 92-year-old JD(S) supremo remarked, "They (Congress MLAs) say there is no money even to deal with such a severe flood situation".
The five pre-poll guarantees are Gruha Jyothi, offering 200 units of electricity free to every household; Gruha Lakshmi, providing Rs 2,000 to every woman head of a family; Anna Bhagya, assuring 10 kg rice to each member of a BPL family every month; Yuva Nidhi, promising Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders (aged 18-25) for two years; and Shakti, which allows women in Karnataka free travel on government-run non-luxury buses.
"More than 50 people have lost their lives, and there is a huge loss to livestock. Crops have been completely damaged. Roads, bridges and houses have been destroyed," Gowda said.
"I will visit Kalaburagi to see the ground reality. After visiting there, I will give my view about what the government has done," he said.
Pointing out that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recently conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas and reviewed the crop damage, Gowda appealed to district in-charge ministers and officials to visit the spot and understand the woes of people.
On the BJP-JD(S) coalition, Gowda clarified that the alliance would continue.
"There is no need to worry about the alliance. It will continue even for Panchayat and Assembly elections,” he said.
Emphasising his cordial ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gowda said, "My relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never change. Show me one instance where I have spoken ill of him in the last 10 years".
The former prime minister also said he has set a target of winning at least 50 to 60 seats in the upcoming Bengaluru Municipal Corporation elections, and would soon hold a meeting in this regard.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 100th Saudi Pro League goal
Riyadh (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th Saudi Pro League goal as Al-Nassr beat Al-Shabab 4-2 to move five points clear at the top of the table.
The 41-year-old forward converted a Sadio Mané cross at the near post with 15 minutes remaining to record the 971st goal of his career on Thursday. It was also his 26th league goal of the season.
“Ronaldo is always dangerous going forward and we saw that again today,” Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus said.
João Félix, signed from Chelsea in July, scored three goals for the league leaders.
The win took Al-Nassr to 82 points from 32 games, five ahead of Al-Hilal, which has three matches, one more than Nassr, left to play. Al-Hilal meets Al-Kholood on Friday and faces Nassr on Tuesday in what could be a title decider against its Riyadh rival.
“Now we have a derby match against our rival, which is a difficult encounter,” Jesus said.
“We are fully aware of its importance, and we are dealing with it with complete focus as we know that small details could decide the result.”
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has yet to secure a major trophy in Saudi Arabia since signing with Al-Nassr in December 2022.
