From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 20: The Congress government has successfully implemented all its 5 Guarantees as promised in the manifesto for the State Assembly polls and benefits have reached a large number of people, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Monday.

Speaking at the Meet the Press programme organised by the Press Club of Bengaluru on the completion of the Congress government’s one in year in office, the Chief Minister lashed out at BJP opposition leader R Ashoka and State BJP chief B Y Vijayendra and dismissed their criticism of the government’s empty treasury as false and baseless as both BJP leaders do not understand economy.

Siddaramaiah asked the BJP leaders to explain how the Congress government could increase the budget outlay than during the previous Bommai regime if the treasury is empty and wondered how the developmental programmes received more money.

“We have spent money on the five guarantees without sacrificing the developmental programmes,” he said reeling out facts and figures and pointed out that the government has spent Rs 56,274 crore on developmental programmes as against the budget allocation of Rs 54,374 crore, which is a significant jump.

The government has spent Rs 18,198 crore on irrigation sector against the budget allocation of Rs 16,360 crore and the expenditure by the Public Works Department is Rs 8,661 crore, he said and asked the BJP leaders how the government could spend more than the allocated funds on these projects if the treasury is empty as they claim.

The Chief Minister said developmental works and budgeted programmes are being implemented in all departments including Health, Education, Irrigation, Social Welfare and Agriculture.

State has Muslim Reservation since 30 years

Siddaramaiah challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain why the other BJP ruled states have not implemented the SC/ST Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan Act, which was done by the Congress government to ensure allocation of works up to Rs 1 crore by allocating SC/ST Contractors and ensuring reservation for Backward Classes. “Instead of going on spreading lies, Modi should explain why BJP ruled States have not implemented such a revolutionary law,” he asked.

Attacking Modi for “falsely” accusing the Congress government for granting reservation benefits to Muslims by snatching from the Backaward Classes and informed the Prime Minister that reservation for Muslims is being implemented in the State since the last 30 years as recommended by the Chinnappa Reddy Commission and even when BJP was in power in the State through “the backdoor,” this reservation continued.

The Congress government has not snatched the reservation from any community, the Chief Minister said and pointed out that the previous Basavaraj Bommai government had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court declaring that the reservation of the Muslims will not be disturbed.

“Instead of speaking lies, Modi should first find out the truth and check his facts,” he advised.

In a direct challenge to BJP and Modi, Siddaramaiah said “BJP and Modi should stop uttering lies in order to mislead and provoke the people for electoral gains. This kind of false propaganda will not work as people are smart enough to ascertain facts unlike Prime Minister and BJP,” he said.

The Chief Minister said he is not claiming that corruption has been completely eliminated under the Congress rule but the government has been taking stern measures to curb and reduce the corruption. “Our government has commenced the probe into the 40% commission charges against the previous BJP rule,” he said declaring that the guilty will be mercilessly punished.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that it was Modi, who introduced reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and mentioned that there is no caste or community which does not enjoy reservation in the country.

The Congress government has set apart Rs 52,009 crore for implementation of the guarantees this year and the amount will be increased next year.

If NDA can have small parties, why not I.N.D.I.A?

Siddaramaiah dismissed Modi’s charge that I.N.D.I.A block comprises smaller parties and reminded the Prime Minister that the BJP-led NDA is also full of smaller parties. “What is the logic of striking alliances with smaller parties and asking the opposition to desist from such strategies?” he asked.

The government is taking measures to improve the law and order situation and mentioned that the number of murders have come down this year as compared to previous year. “At the same time, it is important and necessary to ensure the safety of the people instead of merely giving facts and figures or making comparisons,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government has set up a special court to expedite the Neha Purohit murder case and will take stern measures against recurrence of such incidents. The BJP and JD(S) must stop playing caste and religion politics in heinous crimes and rousing passions for political gains.

BJP knew Prajwal sex scandal 6 months ago

Speaking at length on the Hassan JD(S) MP, Prajwal Revanna’s sex scandals and rapes and sexual abuses of multiple women and recording the sordid sex acts in phone and also in pen drives, the chief minister said BJP leader Devaraje Gowda had held the first press conference on the scandal and the victims of sex abuse have filed complaints.

“BJP was aware of the allegations of sex scandal, rapes and sexual abuses by Prajwal Revanna six months ago. Even then, how can the BJP agree to giving ticket to Prajwal Revanna. Modi has campaigned for the JDS candidate and had allowed him to share the dais,” he said questioning the BJP for its silence so far.

Cong will win 15-20 seats in State

The Chief Minister predicted that the ruling Congress party will win at least 15 and a maximum of 20 seats out of the 28 in Karnataka in the Lok Sabha polls.

“We are not bragging of winning all the 28 seats like BJP,” he said.

Asked about the cabinet expansion, he said there is no such proposal before him. “I will abide by the decision of the party high command after the elections,” he said claiming that I.N.D.I.A block will form the next government.