Siddaramaiah lashes out at PM Modi, FM Nirmala Sitharaman, says Centre failed K'taka during crisis
Bagalkot: Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly, Siddaramaiah has asserted that, it is inequitable that the central government failed to release the state’s GST share and flood relief funds when the state government is reeling under financial crisis.
He started his two-day visit to Badami, where he represents the constituency, with visiting flood-hit areas on Monday. It is his first to Badami since June 4.
Speaking to the reporters, Siddaramaiah pointed that, “Narendra Modi being the Prime Minister of the country has failed to visit the flood-hit areas instead he preferred spending luxurious life at his residence. Though the state had shown Rs 35,000 crore revenue loss due to historic floods in 2019 – it failed to sanction the sufficient flood relief funds. Even this year the state witnessed floods but the Centre has failed to provide any assistance.”
“With a deficit in funds, even the development works are hit in the state. The Chief Minister has switched himself into the silent mode as he failed to get the expected financial support from the central government. We will raise the issue in the upcoming session” Siddaramaiah further added.
Drug Mafia:
Responding to the allegations labeled against him by Minister CT Ravi, who shared a picture of suspected drug peddler Shaikh Fazil with Siddaramaiah and MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan to add that the drug peddler had political connections with the KPCC top brass, Siddaramaiah noted “Thousands of people will take photos with us and even burglars will pose - it doesn’t mean that we are involved with them or helping them to indulge in illegal activities.”
“Accused having a photo with us is not important, instead, having sufficient evidence to prove the allegations is important. While the ruling party leaders are claiming Zameer Ahmed is indulged in burg businesses they should have enough evidence before making allegations. If saffron cadre is wishing to play photo politics than there are many photos - where accused actress Ragini Dwivedi is campaigning with BJP leaders including CM’s son Vijayendra. Does this mean all these leaders are indulged in the drug mafia? The former CM of the state questioned.
“It is the job of the government and police to put an end to the deeply rooted drug business in the state. We offer complete support to the government to initiate stringent action against those people including political leaders indulged with the drug mafia,” reiterated Siddaramaiah.
Hindi Imposition:
“We don’t have any objections to learning Hindi but the union government should not impose it against one's will. It is not the first time even earlier it was opposed. The Supreme Court has permitted the state’s to provide education in the regional language then why is the central government forcing on the non-Hindi speaking states?” Siddaramaiah asked.
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'Engineered narratives': West Bengal guv on alleged molestation charges against him
Kolkata, May 2: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Thursday said he will not be cowed down by “engineered narratives” and the "truth shall triumph” after TMC leaders claimed that a woman working at Raj Bhavan levelled allegations of molestation against him.
In a statement, the Governor said, “Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal,”
To the Raj Bhavan staff "who expressed solidarity with him following some derogatory narratives that were circulated by two disgruntled employees as agents of political parties," a communication by Raj Bhawan said.
The Governor’s statement came after senior TMC leaders claimed this evening in a series of social media posts that the woman, who had levelled the allegations, has been taken to a police station to complain against Bose.
Though police sources said they received a verbal complaint, there was no official word on whether a formal complaint had been registered.
“BIG. Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose was accused of molesting a woman. How utterly appalling and Horrifying. Ahead of @narendramodi visit to Kolkata who is supposed to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan, a woman has alleged that she was molested while she went to meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan today. The complainant has been taken to the Hare Street police station for filing a complaint. The woman has accused the Governor of molesting her. Shocking and disgraceful,” TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose said in a post on X.
Fellow TMC MP Saket Gokhale also posted on his X account regarding the issue.
West Bengal Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja said it is “shameful” that the Governor has maligned his post and has used it to “torture a woman”.
“It is appalling and shocking to see such an incident. This is the same Governor who had reached out to Sandeshkhali to talk about women’s rights and Nari Shakti. This is shameful that the Governor sought undue advantages in the pretext of giving her a permanent job. We want Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be addressing rallies in Bengal tomorrow to react on this issue,” she said.
According to sources in the Governor's House, the "woman employee with the help of her alleged boyfriend who is also an employee of the Raj Bhavan was blocking complaints (from people) being sent to the Election Commission of India.
"When she was reprimanded for that, she went outside and alleged molestation. She is in the habit of throwing tantrums against her colleagues because of some disease," a Raj Bhavan official said.
The West Bengal Governor and the TMC government have shared an acrimonious relationship since he assumed office in November 2022 and had several run-ins on various issues.
The BJP said it has to be seen whether this a “conspiracy by the TMC” or has an “iota of truth in it”.
“We all know that the TMC is politically cornered on the issue of SSC scam and is looking for a breathing space. So this needs to be seen whether this is a conspiracy by the TMC or it has any iota of truth in it,” BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said.
BIG. Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose accused of molesting a woman. How utterly APPALLING and HORRIFYING. Ahead of @narendramodi visit to Kolkata who is supposed to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan, a woman has alleged that she was molested while she went to meet the Governor at Raj…
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) May 2, 2024
Shameful that a constitutional office holder should try to prejudice an impartial investigation by attacking the motive of the complainant. We have seen this happen in that infamous Saturday Hearing of the Supreme Court. Respect women! https://t.co/E6eJLQvFXO
— sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) May 2, 2024
