Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 30: Karnataka chief minister (CM), D V Sadananda Gowda, stressed that he has been functioning as the chief minister of the state without any hitch, and that rumours about former CM B S Yeddyurappa creating bottlenecks in his functioning, are imaginary stories concocted by the opposition parties.

He also clarified that he will in no way create hurdles for the tour programme of the former CM all over the state. “I do not face any problems out of his tour. The stories about the former CM trying to topple a person, whom he elevated to this post, are not worth believing in,” he clarified.

He was speaking to reporters before leaving for Bangalore at the end of his two-day visit to the district. 

Gowda reasoned that it is not wrong on the part of Yeddyurappa to aspire to become the CM again. He said Yeddyurappa has tremendous popularity in the state because of his three and half years of people-centric administration.

He hinted that hike in electricity tariff is imminent, and blamed the successive governments in the past of ignoring the issue of generating additional power. “We have cut down power transmission leakage to a significant extent. We are also taking stern steps wherever power theft is detected,” he said.

The CM said that there is no question of shutting down the thermal power plant of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd near Padubidri, stressing that power generated by this plant plays an important role in meeting the power requirements of the state. However, he hastened to clarify that steps will be taken to ensure that the company meets standards set for environmental conservation and pollution control. He said he does not perceive the plan to cut short distance between Bangalore and Mangalore by drilling a tunnel through the Western Ghats as practicable, as it requires huge funds, and clearance from various departments.