Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru Apr 22: AICC general secretary and Karnataka state in-charge Ranadeep Singh Surjewala said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP are committing gross injustice to the state and its farmers.
Addressing media persons here on Monday April 22, Surjewala said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking revenge on Kannadigas for taking BJP out of power during the last assembly elections. BJP has unleashed vendetta politics againat the farmers and people of Karnataka by denying drought relief under the NDRF. The people of Karnataka and farmers are facing injustice and deserve Rs 18172 crore as drought relief."
On September 13, 2023, Congress government had declared drought in the state. On September 22, a memorandum was submitted seeking assistance from NDRF for relief up to Rs 18172 crore. Based on the memorandum a team from the Government of India was sent to the state and they submitted report on October 25. On October 25, three ministers from the state met agriculture and home secretary. On November 13, a report on drought was submitted to a high-level committee. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 19 who promised to release drought relied fund but did not do so. Chief Minister and the state cabinet staged a protest at Janthar Manthar and on March 23, a case filed at Supreme court seeking justice to farmers, said Surjewala.
He said, "As per the drought manual the relief fund should be released within 30 days after the team submits the report. Supreme Court entertained our petition against Prime Minister where Supreme Court judge stated that this is a federal structure, disputes between Centre and states must be resolved amicably and the Centre agreed to take a decision within a week, which was a huge victory for the people of Karnataka."
"We demand that drought relief should be released soon or else we urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah not to visit Karnataka as they don't have right to seek votes from people and show their faces to Karnataka as you will face boycott from the people similar to how people voted you out from assembly," said Surjewala.
When asked about Hubballi Neha murder case Surjewala said, "We can never forget how BJP politicised the death of Paresh Mesta where BJP leaders descended like vultures. BJP dumped Paresh Mesta family after CBI submitted the report."
He said, "Neha is our daughter too and daughter of Karnataka. The accused will be punished for the shameful and henious crime and will put on trial within couple of months in accordance to the severest punishment under IPC and see capital punishment. Congress is determined to do so."
When asked about the BJP's target of 400 seats, Surjewala said, "BJP will suffer the same fate as 2004 elections."
Randeep Singh Surjewala displayed 'chombu' and said "Whatever public questions about price rise, unemployment, doubling of farm income, smart city, the development BJP gives kaali chombu to public."
MLC Manjunath Bhandary, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, J R Lobo, Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLC Ivan D Souza, Congress leader Mithun Rai, Suraj, Inayath Ali and others were present.