Stop daydreaming, Zameer Ahmed tells BJP leaders
Bengaluru, October 14: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said that state BJP leaders have been day dreaming for power.
Speaking at a felicitation programme to MLC Venugopal, organized by the Jayanagar Citizens Forum at Jayanagar here on Sunday, the Minister said that the BJP leaders have been predicting the collapse of Congress-JDS coalition government after the by-election. But the coalition government would be safe for five years. So, it was better that the BJP leaders should stop daydreaming for power, he said.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy who protected the interests of the farmers by waiving off their loans, has been giving good administration. Unable to tolerate his popularity, the BJP leaders have been making false accusations, he said.
Kumaraswamy would remain as the Chief Minister for next five years without any doubt. The Coalition government would toil hard for the welfare of the state and sustainable development was the prime objective of Congress. In view of this, the Congress high command has given up the chief minister post to Kumaraswamy, he said.
KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the Congress would identify even the marginal community and provide position, for which, M.C. Venugopal from Savitha Samaj was an example. After successfully handling various responsibilities, Venugopal had organized the party in Bengaluru. So, the MLC position was given to him. Let him organize the party further in coming days, he said.
MLA Soumya Reddy said that Venugopal was instrumental in her victory in Jayanagar constituency. He had sacrificed his constituency for her. So, she would always be grateful to him, she said.
Former minister Ramalinga Reddy, Kendra Sahitya Academy President Dr. Chandrashekar Kambara and Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Authority President Dr. K. Marulasiddappa were present.
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No stubble burning now, why air pollution crisis in Delhi: Mann takes dig at BJP
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday slammed the BJP saying its leaders used to "defame" Punjab farmers over stubble burning and blame them for Delhi's poor air quality and questioned why is there pollution crisis in national capital despite no farm fires now.
Mann said that as soon as paddy harvest takes place, BJP leaders blame Punjab and its farmers for Delhi's poor air quality.
He said they used to claim that stubble burning by Punjab farmers causes Delhi's pollution.
Mann said at present, the Air Quality Index in major Punjab cities is between 70 and 130.
"At present, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500 and no smoke is coming from Punjab. But the situation in Delhi is worse. At least now they should agree that there is no role of Punjab for Delhi's poor air quality," Mann said in a video message.
Mann's remarks came on a day Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised for the air pollution crisis in the national capital and acknowledged its impact on children's health.
Sirsa, however, asserted that it was the result of the policies pursued by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
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Last month, the BJP had trashed the Punjab CM's previous claim that stubble burning in the state has no role in the high levels of air pollution in Delhi as "ridiculous".
Dismissing Mann's claim, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva had last month said it is certain that stubble burning is a "major" factor (for the air pollution in Delhi).
Meanwhile, Mann in his video message said, due to severe floods which Punjab witnessed this year, paddy harvesting got delayed, "despite this, many Delhi ministers had already started blaming Punjab".
"I want to praise Punjab farmers, NGOs and efforts of the Punjab government have also paid off in controlling stubble burning this time. The cases of stubble burning in Punjab have reduced by 70-80 per cent and this has been acknowledged by the Central Government and the Union Agriculture Minister," Mann said.
The CM further said that after paddy harvest even the wheat crop has been sown and now, there is no incident of stubble burning.
He said BJP leaders used to claim that Punjab's smoke from stubble travels to Delhi.
"Now, there is no stubble burning, but Delhi is facing very poor air quality. This proves that earlier too Punjab's smoke had no role for Delhi's poor air quality. Only accusations were made by the BJP to defame Punjab. At least now the Centre should praise the farmers of Punjab," he said.
"Meanwhile, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500, flights are being cancelled, and breathing has become difficult," said Mann.
He asked both the BJP government in Delhi and the BJP led Centre to address Delhi's air pollution, saying citizens cannot even venture out for a walk due to air pollution.
He also asked the BJP that Punjab should not be dragged into this political battle, instead, Punjab's farmers should be appreciated, and the Delhi and Central governments should focus on addressing Delhi's air pollution.
Mann further said that farmers of Punjab are 'anndatas' (food providers) and they meet the country's food needs, they should not be defamed.
