BJP dubs SMK a `migratory bird’ with no concern for Bangalore
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Mar 21: Taking sharp exception to Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s diatribe against the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP rule as an ``eclipse” that has affected Karnataka and the call to Bangaloreans to save themselves from the evil effect by defeating BJP in the BBMP polls, BJP national general secretary and former Union Minister H N Ananth Kumar has dubbed the former chief minister as a ``migratory bird” who had no concern for the city’s development.
Instead of criticising the 21-month rule of Yeddyurappa regime that had given a ``new dimension and impetus to the development and growth of Bangalore,” the Bangalore south MP said Krishna would do well to focus on his ministry and take steps to contain terrorism and protection of
Indian students studying in Australia.
"Krishna, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Chamarajpet in the City, quit the seat to become the Governor of Maharashtra. If he was interested in the development of the City, he could have continued in the State politics,” Kumar said.
The BJP leader said the Congress Government led by Krishna from 1999 to 2004 was responsible for infrastructure bottlenecks in the City, traffic congestion and water scarcity. Neglect of the city and lack of vision to develop the city by the Krishna regime led to haphazard growth of the city, alleged.
Krishna, while addressing a news conference in the city on Saturday, had criticised the Yeddurappa government and termed digging of roads and laying of boxes as the ``crazy idea” and termed the BJP rule as an eclipse dogging Karnataka and Bangalore.
Blaming the UPA government for the rise in prices of essential commodities, Kumar said the External Affairs Minister was a mute spectator to the whole gamut of issues facing the country.
Various works such as Bangalore Metro Rail, second railway terminal at Yeshwanthpur, Bangaluru International Airport Limited, Cauvery IV phase project, several flyovers had beensanctioned during the NDA rule of Vajpayee. Several houses constructed under the Ambedkar-Valmiki scheme for slum-dwellers in the City when he was the Minister for Urban Development, Kumar claimed.
The State government would bring out a Bangalore Regional Governance Act, 2010, for a comprehensive development of the city if the party voted to power in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike elections, he said.
Karnataka’s Transport Minister R Ashok, who is also the Minister in-charge of Bangalore City, said BJP will seek votes on the basis of the development activities carried out by the Yeddyurappa Government during the last 21 months in the City in the coming BBMP polls.
Ashok said the party was confident of winning more than 120 seats in the BBMP elections. The Government has prepared a blueprint of Rs 22,000 crore for the development of the city with private sector participation.
More than a thousand works have been executed since the BJP came to power in May
2008. About 650 parks had been developed across the city and more would be developed in the coming years, he said.
The Janata Dal (Secular) has been opposing the growth of the City for past several years. The Congress, which was known for dissident activities, was confused about what issues to be placed before the electorate during the campaign, he said.
The minister said BJP would focus on pro-poor schemes announced by the Chief Minister such as title deeds for slum-dwellers, Akrama-Sakrama for regularisation of unauthorised constructions in the city, improved public transport system in the city. Since JD (S) and the Congress had been responsible for haphazard growth of the city, they have no moral right to seek votes, he added.