Siddaramaiah's government is a ‘U-turn’ government with no vision: BJP

BENGALURU: A “U” turn government lacking clarity in decision-making and transparency in administration was how leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Jagadish Shettar, described the Congress government on the eve of its second anniversary in office.

Speaking to the media after releasing a book on 31 failures of the state government here on Tuesday, he mocked at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying the fact that he managed to continue in office for two years was his biggest achievement.

The proposed rally in Davanagere on May 16 was an attempt to conceal all failures of the state government, he said adding “this is a completely defunct government. There is no zeal among officers and ministers. IAS officers and senior officers do not obey the orders of the Chief Minister. There is no zeal among the officers and ministers.”

He charged that the government took many controversial decisions but later reversed them because of criticism from all quarters. Besides, the government failed to put an end to the sand mafia, forcing several honest officers to seek voluntary retirement. “By highlighting failures of the Siddaramaiah government, the BJP has commenced its campaign for Gram Panchayat elections. Our leaders will visit districts during the campaign,” he added.

Taking dig at home minister K.J. George, he said a police officer, Mr Kempaiah, who was appointed as his adviser, was running the home department. Instead of turning to DGP Mr. Omprakash for suggestions, the home minister was banking on his adviser, he added.

Deputy leader of opposition R. Ashok said the BJP would take on the “bulldozer government” in the forthcoming elections to BBMP as big builders were allowed to get away, and only the poor were punished during the demolition drive in Bengaluru.

What has Siddaramaiah government done to develop Bengaluru, asks HDK

Taking a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for claiming that his government had fulfilled almost all promises listed in the manifesto ahead of Assembly polls in 2013, JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy said barring “Bhagyas,” the government’s achievement was “a big zero.”

“The Chief Minister has said the Opposition knew nothing and was pro-upper class. I do not see anything which he has done for the benefit of OBCs either. Some individuals might have been the beneficiaries in this government,” he added.

Criticising the state government for launching “Anna Bhagya” scheme, Mr Kumarswamy said the government might be extending sops to the tune of Rs 80 per head per month by giving free rice but taxes on liquor is draining them of over Rs 70 per day.

The government has not taken up any developmental activities in the last two years, but raised a loan of Rs 4,5000 crores. The government has not paid bills to the tune of Rs 700 crores submitted by borewell contractors, who sank borewells under MLA task force, leaving them with no option but to back out of schemes in rural areas.

“What is the contribution of the government in terms of development of Bengaluru over the last two years? No new projects have been taken up but the Chief Minister says that he has left no work incomplete,” he added.

We have met most poll promises: Former minister H.M. Revanna

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has streamlined the finance department and restored fiscal discipline over the last two years, says former minister H.M. Revanna, MLC, and a confidante of the Chief Minister.

He told Deccan Chronicle that Mr Siddaramaiah has utilised his long experience of handling the finance portfolio to improve the state’s financial position after total mismanagement by the previous BJP government.

Mr Revanna said the government has fulfilled 100 of the total 165 promises listed in the party’s manifesto ahead of Assembly polls in 2013, signaling a big achievement. The other promises would be fulfilled over the next three years. Besides, through e-governance, the government had reduced corruption in most departments, and the law and order machinery had functioned to perfection over the last 24 months, he added.

Likening state JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy to a “snake charmer,” Mr Revanna flayed him for threatening to expose the omissions and commissions of the Chief Minister and his council of ministers.

“Let him reveal everything before the people so that people will understand. There is no point in simply threatening just for the sake of publicity,” he added. He, however, admitted about complaints of non-performance against some ministers, but said that issue would be addressed soon.

Mr Revanna dismissed allegations of suspended Congress MLA A.S. Patil Nadahalli about neglect of north Karnataka, saying Mr Siddaramaiah was always concerned about that region because of its backwardness.