From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jun 6: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D K Shivakumar has dismissed Chief Minister’s statement offering to quit if BJP high command asks him to is part of a "gimmick and veiled threat" against any moves to unseat him.
Speaking to reporters near his residence on Sunday, the KPCC Chief described the 78-year-old Yediyurappa as a strong leader with mass following and shrewd politician and his statement offering to tender his resignation if the BJP high command asks is "nothing but a veiled threat" and it is "not easy to replace him."
"I am not prepared to accept whatever statement he (CM) makes as true," the Congress leader said pointing out that, "In politics, it is quite common for leaders to make certain public statements as part of the strategy while the reality might be entirely different. What is clear that the BJP rule in the State is riddled with dissidence and unstable."
Shivakumar said: "BJP has completely failed in administration as is clear from ministers and legislators openly criticizing the Chief Minister and taking potshots against the Government. What is even worse is the infighting among even IAS officers as is evident from the open quarrel among Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Shilpa Nag and district’s Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri, leading to Chief Secretary to rush to Mysuru, and the government’s overnight decision to shunt the two warring women IAS officers."
The State Congress President said it is undisputable that Yediyurappa was a strong leader with mass following. "He can’t be easily removed. We (Congress) are in the opposition and so we have nothing to do with what is happening in the ruling BJP. He must be playing his own games. Irrespective of whether Yediyurpapa continues or somebody else is installed, the administration has totally collapsed."
"The mishandling of the Covid situation with several ministers put in charge of the containment measures and making all kinds of statements, the non-availability of vaccines, the crisis in hospitals and the lack of facilities are proof of the failure," he said.
The KPCC Chief said: "There are 7 to 8 persons in BJP are aspiring to become Chief Ministers and waiting with new suits. They have even set the opportune time to become Chief Ministers. The Congress party is aware of what is happening but it is their business. Let them do what they want. We are not concerned with the developments in the ruling party. But I am more concerned about the plight of the people and the State."
Shivakumar said the BJP rule in the State is doomed and is in its final days. "The government has totally failed in controlling the Covid pandemic or bringing down the number of deaths. The official figures and real facts are different. What is more pathetic and highly condemnable is the charging of Rs 900 from the poor for a dose of vaccine," he said.
Inaugurating the free vaccination drive in Bidarahalli of Mahadevapura assembly constituency, he said the Congress party is willing to provide free vaccination to all people if it was given permission to procure and carry out the vaccination.
The KPCC Chief said he had inaugurated the 3 lakh free vaccination programme organized by senior Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa in Davagere, where he had taken his second dose, and reiterated the State Congress party’s offer to implement vaccination on behalf of the party at a cost of Rs 100 crore if the permission was given as both the State and Central governments have totally failed.
Shivakumar said the poor are charged Rs 900 per dose of vaccine while BJP leaders are displaying their own photographs on the vaccination camps and arranging for their own party members. The Congress leaders are organizing free vaccination camps by spending their own money, he added.