Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Jul 31: The opposition leader of the state, R Ashoka, has urged the state government to provide immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that have caused significant damage in various parts of the state. He visited selected flood-affected areas in Bantwal along with MLAs and officials and later addressed a press conference at the Bantwal Inspection Bungalow.

R Ashoka criticized the Chief Minister for prioritizing trips to Delhi over addressing the issues caused by the heavy rains in the state. He called for the Chief Minister to return to the state immediately and listen to the problems of the people. Ashoka mentioned that he came to observe the rain damage, which has caused extensive harm and fatalities. He recalled that during his tenure as Revenue Minister, both the state and central governments provided equal funding for relief efforts. He accused the current government of failing to provide proper relief and criticized the current state government for not establishing care centers as he did during his tenure.

Ashoka noted that it has been 15 days since the in-charge minister of Dakshina Kannada district visited Mangaluru, despite being instructed by their high command to be present in the district. He criticized the minister for not being seen with the people. He also mentioned that Congress leader Ramanath Rai previously criticized the relief efforts, calling the government's allocation of five lakh rupees stingy. Now, the same government is providing 1.25 lakh rupees, which Ashoka deemed insufficient.

Ashoka questioned the role of the state government in flood relief and demanded immediate action. He called for the formation of task force committees led by MLAs in each legislative assembly constituency, with a five crore rupee fund allocated to each committee. He stated that the BJP would conduct a state-wide study of the natural disaster under different leaders and bring any discrepancies to the government's attention.

During the press conference, Ashoka mentioned that over six thousand crore rupees were allocated for flood relief during his tenure as minister. He emphasized that the party would continue to work according to the high command's instructions and resolve their issues independently.

When asked about the BJP's padayatra (foot march), Ashoka responded that JDS state president GT Deve Gowda had opposed the march and suggested postponing it due to concerns about agriculture and rainfall. Ashoka mentioned that discussions with central leaders would continue.

He criticized the Congress for alleged corruption and stated that they were fighting within the legislative assembly to ensure accountability. Ashoka expressed hope that the JDS, as part of the NDA alliance, would join the fight. He mentioned that he would discuss the matter with HD Kumaraswamy and reach a decision by the evening.

Ashoka also addressed Congress leader B K Hariprasad's allegations against Siddaramaiah and questioned the stability of the current government. He mentioned that dissent within the Congress was the reason for their leaders' frequent trips to Delhi. Ashoka concluded by stating that a decision on the padayatra would be made by the evening and that there was no disagreement about the march itself, only about its timing.

Former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Rajesh Naik and Pratap Simha Nayak, district BJP president Satish Kumpala, and prominent figures such as Chennappa Kotyan, Pooja Pai, Sulochana Bhat, Harikrishna Bantwal, and JDS leader Rakshit Suvarna were present.