Modi has time to "campaign" for US President but not for flood-hit Karnataka, says Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Oct 13: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he had time to campaign for US President Donald Trump, seeking a second term in the general elections there in 2020, but not to visit flood-ravaged Karnataka.
Terming the BJP as "fascist" and "dictatorial," the former Chief Minister accused the state government of 'colluding' with the Assembly Speaker in restricting the media from covering the proceedings of the House.
"This time it was unprecedented floods in the state along with drought in some parts.. central government gave aid only after 60 days that too Rs 1,200 crore.. according to me damage suffered is more than Rs 1 lakh crore," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters in Chikkamagaluru, he said, "Modi did not visit Karnataka, he instead was touring foreign countries and had gone to campaign for US President Donald Trump."
".. Narendra Modi tweets as soon as there were floods in Bihar, expressing sympathy.
In Karnataka when there were about 90 deaths and four to five people are still missing due to floods, he did not express sympathy," he added.
As many as 2,798 villages in 103 taluks of 22 districts in the state were affected by floods, in which around seven lakh people were shifted to safe areas.
About 3400 cattles and 91 people died during rains and floods in August.
Further attacking the Prime Minister, Siddaramaiah said, "Narendra Modi claims to have a 56-inch chest.. what is the use of having a big chest without a motherly heart inside it?
Having a heart that cares for poor, farmers is very important."
Questioning the use of Karnataka sending 25 BJP MPs, who according to him have "failed" in getting proper relief to the state, he sought to know how people who protested against the Udupi Chikmagalur MP Shobha Karandlaje, elected her once again.
"Has she visited the flood affected regions of her constituency?" he asked.
Amid criticism over the delay in sanctioning funds, the Centre had recently released Rs 1,200 crore as interim relief to the state, which had sent a damage estimate of Rs 35,160.81 crore.
Siddaramaiah also alleged that Speaker and the state government colluded in restricting camerapersons, both electronic and print media, from covering the proceedings of the assembly session.
"This means that BJP does not believe in parliamentary democracy, basically they are fascist and believe in dictatorship, the same thing Hitler also used to do..," he added.
The Leader of Opposition alleged the budget was passed without proper discussion on demands, violating rules and procedures of the assembly.
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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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