Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, May 30: At a time when chief minister Yeddyurappa has expressed the opinion that his government has done fairly well, while accepting that more needs to be done, Panchayar Raj minister Shobha Karandlaje said she is satisfied with the government's performance during the last year. Other ministers have time and again, claimed that the high point of the state government has been its excellent performance.

Addressing a press conference here on the eve of the state government completing one year in office, leader of the opposition in the legislative council and Congress leader V S Ugrappa ridiculed the state government for bragging about its achievements. "In my view, plundering money by indulging in large scale transfer of government employees, firing at agitating farmers, ceding  land of the state at the border to Andhra Pradesh, cheating people by promising them rice at two rupees a kilogram and free power, are the only real achievements of the government," he explained. He also accused the finance secretary of trying to shield the state government by not providing the figures sought for, about the performance under budgetary allocations.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R V Deshpande on the other hand, chose to ridicule the state government, by saying that emptying the state coffers has been the only achievement of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Speaking to newsmen on Friday, he expressed the opinion that the BJP has lost the right to celebrate its one year in office, as it does not have any worthy achievements to its credit.  "Except excise, no other department has been able to meet revenue targets. The state is facing financial crunch. Roads are unmotorable; there is no drinking water in villages. Supply of seeds and fertilizers is inadequate," he commented. He also advised Yeddyurappa to stop visiting temples and work for the welfare of the people rather than exhibiting his devotion to Gods.

Deshpande sought an unconditional apology from MLA Nehru Olekar for his statement that Haveri disturbances were the handiwork of the opposition parties and that the people who died in the firing there were not farmers.