From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Chitradurga, Oct 6: Terming the BJP-JD(S) tie-up for the Lok Sabha polls as ‘most unholy’, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday claimed that many of the JD(S) MLAs were unhappy and have expressed their willingness to join Congress party.
Speaking to media persons at the Chitradurga helipad, he said there was no meaning and justification for the name Secular in the party’s name and predicted that the alliance will mark the doom of JD(S).
The Congress party will take a decision on the JD(S) legislators and leaders who want to join, he said.
The Chief Minister clarified that the government has no proposal to open 1000 liquor as indicated by the Excise Minister.
“We will consider the application for new licences based on the ground situation,’’ he said.
He said the government wants to mobilise resources to fund the guarantees and implementation of developmental works. But it will be done judiciously, he said.
Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP charge that developmental works are starved of funds to fund the guarantees.
“It is the BJP government and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai were responsible for destroying the State’s economy. The BJP raised a record loan amounts and increased the debt burden. They have no moral right to speak. They destroyed everything and are now preaching to us,’’ he said.
The government has released Rs 200 crore for the Bhadra project for land acquisition. There is no paucity of funds for any developmental works or for guarantees, he asserted.
Siddaramaiah attacked the BJP for despatching a fact-finding panel to Shivamogga and asked what facts they are going to find.
When the Muslim community was taking a procession to celebrate the Eid Milad and stones were hurled at them, which resulted in untoward incidents. “We are taking tough action against the stone-pelters, irrespective of their party affiliation. The government has repeatedly said the miscreants and anti-social elements causing trouble will be dealt with strictly. There is no leniency,’’ he declared.
Karnataka has suffered massive crop losses due to drought to the tune of Rs 30000 crore and has sought a drought relief of Rs 4800 crore from the centre as per the guidelines, he said explaining that 196 out of the 236 taluks in the State have been declared drought affected.
Later, he visited the Kavadigara Hutti tands, in which 6 people had died by drinking contaminated water and heard the grievances of the local people. The government has allotted 3 acres and a grant of Rs 4,000 crore for the development of the Kavadigara hatti. Jobs will be provided to the deceased families, he promised.