From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 4: Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar lambasted the State BJP leaders for constantly criticising the Congress government on drought relief while not doing anything to seek drought relief from Narendra Modi’s central government.
Speaking to media persons near his residence in Bengaluru on Sunday, he said BJP leaders should hang their heads in shame before claiming that Modi government has been generous to Karnataka than the previous Congress-led UPA regime.
“The State BJP leaders haven’t made any efforts to hold a meeting with the BJP government in the Centre to seek drought relief funds for the State which is reeling under severe drought. Instead, they are busy criticising the State government,” he said.
Answering questions on State BJP leaders, including former BJP chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, making comments that the Modi government in the Centre has given more drought relief funds than the previous Manmohan Singh government is totally shameful.
The previous Manmohan Singh’s government is long gone. The BJP has been in power for the last 10 years, he said pointing out that the Modi government is causing injustice to Karnataka in the devolution of funds and things have changed a lot in the last 10 years.
“They always talk about Double engine Sarkar but why aren’t they seeking help for the State from the Centre. They have never spoken to Central leaders about State’s welfare,” he said and asserted that BJP has no right to speak about the Congress government.
Shivakumar said the Siddaramaiah government has deposited Rs 2,000 to the accounts of farmers affected by drought from its own resources.
“We have taken enough steps to overcome the drinking water issue in drought-hit areas. The Centre hasn’t done anything about it. The Centre announced Rs 5300 crore for irrigation projects in Karnataka but they haven’t released any funds. The Centre hasn’t done anything about the metro either,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the State Government and the ruling Congress party is left with no other choice but to raise our voice for the State.
“I invite the State BJP leaders and JDS leaders to join our protest on February 7 in Delhi if they really care about Karnataka,” he said.
Asked if the Kerala and Telangana governments would join the protest, he said, “This protest is against Centre’s injustice to Karnataka. Other states will hold their protests.”
To a question on State BJP President B Y Vijayendra’s statement that ‘Modi’s guarantee is the superior to all other guarantees’, he said: “He got ucky to become a State party President in just seven months. His position is the ancestral property from his father B S Yediyurappa. Let him talk, I won’t stop him.’’
“It is ironic that Prime Minister Modi, who criticised the Congress guarantees in the past, is now talking about guarantees in his name” he added.