Bengaluru: Concerned that the month long gap between polling and counting of votes in Karnataka could delay implementation of various schemes, leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Jagadish Shettar, has decided to write to the Election Commission to relax the model code of conduct for the state.
"I intend to write to the Election Commission seeking relaxation of the norms. We cannot do justice to farmers who have lost their lives and many others who have lost their crop in the recent hailstorm unless this is done," he told reporters here on Monday.
Both Mr. Shettar and former chief minister, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who was also present at the press conference, accused the state government of being ineffective and lethargic as even three days after polling none of the ministers had turned up at Vidhana Soudha. "They have a ready excuse in that the model code of conduct is in force and they cannot work. But they are showing no concern for farmers who have suffered loss of crop in heavy rain and are in distress. Growers of tur and sugarcane are in a crisis too, but the government has done not hing to help them," they charged.
Referring to recent speeches by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and energy minister D.K. Shivakumar on projects in the Cauvery basin in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Gowda charged that they were speaking against the interests of Karnataka while trying to woo voters of the neighbouring state.
"The state's stand is to implement the Mekedatu power project. But Congress leaders go to Tamil Nadu and speak against it, which is not right," he said
Claiming there was a BJP and Modi wave in the state , former deputy chief minister R Ashok asserted the party would win more than 20 Lok Sabha seats of the total 28 in Karnataka.
"We are confident of winning more than 20 seats. There is no doubt about it," he added.
