If chance was given to form govt. independently, I’d have waived off loans within 24 hrs: HDK
‘My decision is not final in coalition government’
Chikmagalur, May 22: Making a point that his decision is not the final in the coalition government, designated Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that if the JDS was given chance to form government independently, he would have waived off the farmers loan within 24 hours.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Sringeri Sharada Peetham along with his father and JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda, brother HD Revanna and family members, at Sringeri on Tuesday, Kumaraswamy said that in his manifesto, he has promised to waive off the complete agriculture loans of the farmers if the JDS came to power in the state. But the people have given the majority to the JDS. In a coalition government, he alone could not take a decision on waiver off loans, he said.
In the election, voters have not given a clear mandate to any single party. At this situation, the Congress has come forward to extend its support to the JDS to form the government due to which JDS-Congress coalition government is being formed. Since it is a coalition government, he could not say anything about loan waiver at this time, he said.
“In the manifesto, I have clearly mentioned that I would waive off the loans completely within 24 hours of coming to power if the party is given majority. But people were not interested about loan waiver. People have not accepted this ambitious project. They have considered the assurance very lightly. Some people have been ridiculing about my assurance and speaking lightly. People have not given me the power. They have not elected me as the Chief Minister. So, I alone could not take a decision over this aspect. I would also take the Congress leaders into confidence, discuss and take a final decision”, he said.
The people have supported the JDS only in 38 constituencies. No party has got clear majority to form the government. As a result, the JDS-Congress combine has decided to form the government. When there is a coalition government, the JDS cannot implement its manifesto in toto. Both the partners should discuss and implement any programmes. Even the Congress has also promised some programmes in its manifesto. So, keeping in mind the welfare of the state and interests of the farmers and common people, both the parties would take decisions to implement the programmes mentioned in the manifestos. A clear decision would be taken only after discussing it in the cabinet. He would try to fulfill the expectations of all, he said.
JDS leaders SL Bhoje Gowda, Dharme Gowda, HH Devaraj, Harish, Venkatesh, HT Rajendra and others were present.
Designated Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, former PM HD Deve Gowda, former minister HD Revanna, Anitha Kumaraswamy and other family members participated in various religious rituals at Sharada Peeth. Both HD Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy have come in two separate helicopters.
National leaders to attend swearing in programme
Formation of the coalition government itself is the biggest challenge he has ever taken up. People are suspecting the future of the government. It is not so easy to retain the government. People also have the same opinion, he said adding that AICC president Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, DMK leader Stalin, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others would take part in the swearing in ceremony.
‘No discussion on creating two DyCM posts’
So far, no discussion was held on creating two Deputy Chief Ministers posts in the JDS-Congress coalition government. After conducting the floor test, leaders of both the parties would sit together and discuss the issue, Kumaraswamy said.
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.
PM Modi arrives in Ethiopia on second leg of three-nation tour
Addis Ababa (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday on the second leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali received PM Modi at the Addis Ababa International Airport. In a unique gesture, he also drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
ALSO READ: Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers deported from Thailand, taken into police custody
"Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media.
"Ethiopia is a key partner for India in the Global South and a fellow BRICS Member," he added.
Modi will be holding wide-ranging discussions with his counterpart on all aspects of India–Ethiopia bilateral ties.
“As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said before his departure from India.
In his first visit to Ethiopia, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
He will also meet the Indian diaspora during the two-day visit.
Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
