From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Mysuru, Dec 22: Lashing out at BJP leaders for criticising his travel with State Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda in a private jet, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the BJP leaders have no work nor courage to ask their leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi how he travels abroad and with whom.

“I have travelled with my cabinet colleagues and not big business leaders as Modi does,’’ he said speaking to media persons in Mysuru on Thursday.

The Chief Minister attacked the Modi regime for suspending 146 MPs for demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the bursting of gas canisters inside parliament, whose passes were given by BJP’s Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, who has gone scot-free.

“The en-masse daily suspension of MPs and passing crucial bills with far-reaching implications without any debate in the absence of opposition members is nothing but a murder of democracy,’’ he said terming the Modi regime as being ‘totally unresponsive and disrespectful’ of democratic values and norms.

To a question on the proposal to make AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge as the Prime Ministerial candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Siddaramaiah said: “It is for the entire leadership of the opposition party INDI alliance to take a decision.’’

However, he pointed out that Kharge has already replied stating that the seat sharing issue must be sorted out and the Prime Ministerial candidate can be chosen after the elections. “Our first priority is winning maximum seats and ousting Modi,’’ he said.

Hopeful of Central Funds for Drought Relief

Answering questions on the State’s demand for release of funds for drought relief in the State, the Chief Minister said he had already met both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and they have responded positively.

A high-level meeting headed by Shah is meeting in Delhi on Saturday to discuss and take a decision on release of funds. “I am hopeful of positive results,’’ he said.

Siddaramaiah said he had also requested the Prime Minister to grant approvals for the Mahadayi, Mekedatu projects and release funds for the Upper Bhadra Project as promised in last year’s Central budget. The government has also requested that the man-days for Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme should be enhanced from the present 100 days to 150 days and hoped that a decision will be taken soon, he said.

Asked about the Covid situation, the Chief Minister said there was no need to panic while it is necessary to be careful and vigilant.