Talks on CM replacement 'ridiculous': BJP K'taka in-charge Arun Singh
'Will contest 2023 assembly polls under CM Bommai leadership'
Bengaluru, Aug 12: BJP National General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh on Friday termed speculation regarding replacing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as "ridiculous", and asserted that the party will contest the 2023 assembly polls under his leadership and come back to power in the state.
Calling the speculation as a "creation" of the Congress, he alleged that the opposition party that is divided due to infighting between its leaders, was raking up such issues to create "confusion".
"All these are tricks of Congress, it is raising such issues. It is the creation of Congress, as there is a big fight between Siddaramaiah (opposition leader) and D K Shivakumar (state president). It is a ridiculous question," Singh said in response to a question on speculation about CM replacement.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said good works are happening under the leadership of Chief Minister Bommai.
"As in-charge I'm telling you, you have to rely on me. I'm saying 100 per cent we will contest the next election under Bommai's leadership...we will come (to power) with full majority. We have a target of 150 seats and we will achieve it. Congress is a divided house, they are not on the ground and are just creating confusion," he added.
There has been some buzz on and off within the state BJP in recent times, regarding some kind of an overhaul including at the top level, especially after the recent visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the state.
Adding to it, the Congress in a series of tweets had speculated about the possibility of the state having a third chief minister in this tenure with Bommai being replaced, and has even called him a "puppet CM".
Bommai has termed the speculations as "baseless" and "falsehood".
When pointed out to him that some BJP leaders were also speculating about changing the CM, Singh said, "Please also look at what I and several of our party leaders and ministers have said (on supporting Bommai)."
"Bommai is a common man. He is working for farmers, youth, and SC/ST. We will form a government under his leadership, don't worry about it," he said, adding that the Congress, which is a "leaderless party", was raking up such things with a plan, as they don't have any other agenda against the BJP. "There is no truth in it."
Former BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda's recent statement indicating some changes and that the high command will take a call on replacing the chief minister and other matters in the interest of the party and to win the elections in future had added to the speculation.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Siddaramaiah tells Centre not to punish Karnataka for being progressive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday underlined the need for justice in the devolution of taxes.
He said no one should milk a milch cow completely, or else the calf would be malnourished.
Addressing people on the occasion of the 69th state formation day at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here, Siddaramaiah said there is injustice happening to Karnataka.
The state is contributing more than Rs four lakh crore as revenue to the Centre and it is the second largest contributor to the Central tax revenue after Maharashtra, he pointed out.
"Even though we give more than Rs four lakh crore, we are only getting Rs 55,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore. Kannadigas should know this. We are getting 14 to 15 per cent only of our contribution," the chief minister said.
Under the federal system, there should not be any injustice just because Karnataka is a progressive state, he observed.
"Just because a milch cow is giving milk, we should not milk it completely. We should leave some milk for the calf too or else it will malnourish. This no one should ever forget," Siddaramaiah said.
The chief minister emphasised taking pride in Kannada and bringing it in daily use as much as possible.
Stating that Karnataka has people speaking more than 200 languages, Siddaramaiah said, whatever language people speak here or whichever caste or religion they belong to, they all are Kannadigas. Those who consume the air, water and food are Kannadigas, he told the gathering.
He said Kannada is a very old language with a history of 7,000 years. Hence, the Centre too recognised it as a classical language.
Siddaramaiah appealed to the people that they should never sacrifice Kannada language.
"I don't oppose being liberal. I in fact endorse being liberal but not at the cost of sacrificing our language," the chief minister noted.
"Our affection for our language should not be extreme, but we should never give up our pride for our language. We all should be Kannada lover," he added.
For Kannada to grow, people living here must become Kannadigas, Siddaramaiah said.
"I will never say not to learn any other language. Keep enhancing your linguistic wealth but never forget speaking in Kannada," he told people.
He reminded people that November 1 is not only the state formation day but also the anniversary of Mysore state getting the name of Karnataka by the then chief minister, late D Devaraj Urs.
A cultural programme themed around 'Hesarayithu Karnataka, Usiragali Kannada' (the state got the name Karnataka, now Kannada should become the breath) was held on the occasion.
