JDS will corner BJP govt on flood relief management: Deve Gowda
Bengaluru, Oct 4: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Friday said JD(S) will corner the BJP government both inside and outside the assembly over flood relief and "delay" in securing funds from the centre.
The JD(S) patriarch claimed a larger opinion was getting shaped against the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, with even staunch BJP and RSS supporters expressing strong displeasure over its "conduct" and "inaction" on the part of party MPs from the state, over the delay in central relief.
Pointing out that he has come through struggle in his long political career,he said JD(S) would take out a padayatra on the flood relief issue here on October 10, in which party leaders, including himself and former MLAs, zilla and panchayat members, would take part.
"It will be a peaceful protest," he told reporters.
Gowda said party MLAs and Kumaraswamy would raise the issue in the assembly."We don't have any problem in passing of any bills (budget related), but issues should be discussed."
BJP governments at the Centre and the state have been facing flak from Congress and JDSover "delay" in grant of central funds, despite HomeMinister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and the Inter-ministerial central team visiting the affected regions.
The Opposition has accused the Modi government of showing "apathy" towards Karnataka, despite the state sending 25 BJP MPs to the Lok Sabha.
Gowda said expectations that the union cabinet meeting on Thursday would result in some announcement for the flood ravaged state had proved in vain.
He said the discontentment has reached such a level that somestaunch RSS and BJP supporters themselves have charged their party MPs from the state of not doing their duty.
"Is there anything more for me to say?", he asked.
Gowda claimed that the general opinion of the people and even in the media was that the Central government was not cooperating with the state.
Citing media reports that the Centre has sent back a report on flood and rain related damage, stating that it was not proper, Gowda said this has happened for the first time.
"If the report was not okay, at least the interim relief should have been announced...what is the trouble in that?"
Karnataka has sent a flood damage estimate of Rs 35,160.81 crore to the centre and is awaiting the relief.
As many as 103 taluks in 22 districts were affected due to floods in August, in which over 80 people were killed.
Around seven lakh people were shifted to safe areas and thousands of houses were damaged.
Gowda also made it clear that he would not meet the Prime Minister over release of central funds for flood relief as he has not received any reply to earlier letters,seeking Rs 5,000 crore as immediate relief.
"Parliament session is coming up in November... I will write another detailed letter, seeking funds...I too know the financial situation is not fine...but people in distress need help," he added.
Pointing out that most states, from Bihar to Kerala, have been affected by floods, Gowda regretted that Modi has not carried out an aerial survey.
"PM is busy, I can understand. I don't want to speak on the Prime Minister's visit to foreign countries and his visits to poll bound states... but most parts of the country are affected," he said.
Gowda pointed out that the Modi government came to power with a huge mandate and with a lot of support from the youth.
"But what happened?Were jobs generated? HAL employees are protesting, BSNL situation is also bad...
"I think they (BJP central leaders) think that whatever they do, people are with them. Opposition parties are also not strong," he said, adding people of this country were mature and would teach them a lesson "at the right time."
Pointing out that the three day assembly session has been convened from October 10 for budget related business,he asked why the government was not extending it to discuss various issues.
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UP: Fake IAS officer marries woman, flees with Rs 15 lakh dowry
Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): A newly married man fled with the Rs 15 lakh given to him as dowry by the bride's family, and it came to light later that he was an alleged serial scammer, police said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Pritam Kumar Nishad from Etawah, allegedly posed as an IAS officer to deceive the woman into marrying him. He is currently absconding with his sister, and a case has been filed against him for cheating, dowry harassment, and forgery, officials said.
According to the police, the woman's family claimed that they spent nearly Rs 30 lakh for the wedding that was solemnised on March 11.
The match was arranged through a matrimonial group, where the accused introduced himself as an IAS officer, sharing purported interview clips, office visuals, and photographs with politicians to gain the family's trust.
Despite initially claiming he would marry without dowry, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 15 lakh shortly before the engagement. The bride's family paid Rs 10 lakh in cash during the engagement and the remaining Rs 5 lakh on the wedding day, the police said.
The fraud came to light on Saturday after the woman reached Etawah, and a wedding attendee informed the family that the accused was not a civil servant. When her relatives visited the address provided by him, they found her in a small rented room, while the accused and his sister had fled, the police added.
The woman has also alleged that the accused planned to take her to Goa and sell her, and accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
The police suspect that the accused may have been involved in multiple such marriages in the past. Based on a complaint lodged at the cantonment police station, an FIR was registered on Saturday evening.
Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Kaustubh said efforts are underway to arrest the accused.
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