Karnataka Congress government's future is dependent on LS poll results: H D Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, May 25: Raising doubts about the longevity of the Siddaramaiah-led new Congress government in Karnataka, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said its future is dependent on the results of the 2024 Parliament elections.
The former Chief Minister said his statement is only based on his analysis of political situation in the state and should not be misinterpreted as though he was up to something by joining hands with someone.
"I don't know whether the (next Assembly) election will happen after five years, what all may happen I don't know, let's see. The future of this government is dependent on the results of the upcoming Parliament elections, I know it. I'm not speaking by hiding things, nor am I making any astrological predictions," Kumaraswamy said.
Addressing a party meeting here, he said looking at the developments here, in his opinion anything may happen in the state's politics.
"I'm only doing the state's (political) analysis, that's all. I'm not making any astrological predictions, and let the media friends don't have any doubts that as though I'm planning to do something by joining hands with someone. It's my hunch, because we don't know what all developments may happen," he added.
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Kumaraswamy was addressing JD(S) leaders and workers' at an "introspection meeting" organised by the party, following the Assembly polls results, in which the party has won just 19 seats.
Telling party workers that he will stand with them in their fight, Kumaraswamy said whoever works with firm determination to take the party forward will be given an opportunity.
He said he wants to wipe out the "black spot" of "Deve Gowda's family party" image associated with the JD(S).
The JD(S) leader also called on the party workers to start preparing for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and Zilla and Taluk Panchayat polls.
He said if Congress fails to implement the poll guarantees or if they put conditions to implement the guarantees, it will become a major ammunition for the JD(S) in the days ahead.
Later speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said he and his party will keep watch on the government's implementation of its five poll guarantees, as based on it, the Congress got votes and came to power.
"My party's existence has taken a hit in this election, because of these guarantees, so naturally I will hold on to these guarantees....Implement the guarantees now in toto and don't try to cheat the people by adding conditions to it. I will do my politics on this subject now," he added.
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Karnataka Assembly passes bill on Palace Grounds amid opposition protest
Bengaluru, Mar 6 (PTI): The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed the Bangalore Palace (Utilisation and Regulation of Land) Bill, reaffirming state ownership over 472 acres and 16 guntas of land here, amid protests by the opposition BJP.
During the discussion, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the state government would have to provide Rs 200 crore worth of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for each acre of land, which means that for 15 acres, Rs 3,000 crore worth of TDR would be issued.
“If we accept it, then this 2-km stretch of road will become the costliest road in the world. If we accept it then how are we going to develop the city in later stages? How will you carry out development works?” asked Patil.
He also pointed out that this question was raised not only under the Congress government but also during the previous BJP regime.
However, the BJP-led cabinet has opposed the project.
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“Suppose we agree to it then, what will be the valuation of the 472 acres? It will be lakhs and lakhs of crores of rupees. Can we accept?” Patil wondered.
The Minister said the government had previously exercised its executive powers to issue an ordinance, which was approved by the Governor. Now the government is bringing a bill with two amendments.
“In this bill, we have made provisions either to develop or drop the road development work,” Patil explained.
However, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra and BJP MLA Arvind Bellad opposed the move, alleging that the government was targetting Yaduveer Krishna Datta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of the Mysuru royal family, and the BJP MP from Mysuru-Kodagu constituency out of political vendetta.
“We talk of 472 acres of Mysuru Maharaja but here there are many Maharajas who too own 400 acres, 500 acres and thousands of acres of land, which is known to everyone,” Bellad said.
He slammed the Congress government, saying political power should not be misused for personal vendetta.
“Why (the then Deputy Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah brought the law in 1996 pertaining to the Bangalore Palace? Why are you setting eyes on the Bangalore Palace?” he asked.
Vijayendra charged that Wadiyar won the election on BJP ticket so the state government realised that it should acquire it.
“This bill has been brought for political vengeance. We are not discussing whether Rs 3,000 crore is exorbitant or not but the moment Yaduveer became MP, the state government woke up. You should be ashamed. This house should not be used for political vendetta,” he said.
Intervening, Minister Priyank Kharge said Vijayendra should not have raised it because the intention behind building the road was noble.
According to him, the BJP too had the same plan when it was in power.
He sought to know whether thousands of crores of rupees be spent on a road which should have cost significantly less.
In response, BJP MLA B A Basavaraj (Byrathi) said issuing TDR will not be a burden on the state government and appealed to the ruling Congress to reconsider its stance.
Minister Ramalinga Reddy too explained that the Karnataka government acquired the entire land way back in 1996.
The Mysuru royal family went to the High Court, which gave ruling in favour of the state government. The royal family then approached the Supreme Court, where the case is still going on, the Minister pointed out.
“The final judgment is pending in the SC to decide whether the acquisition was right or wrong. If the SC says it’s the royal family’s property then let it be so. If the order is in the state government’s favour then we can take a decision. The bill is only about it,” Reddy explained.
Speaker U T Khader then called for a voice vote and the bill was passed by the Assembly amidst opposition BJP’s discontent.
