As he stepped into the third year in office, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has certainly emerged stronger in Congress, a fact validated by laudatory calls which he got from leaders like Mr Ahmed Patel and general secretary Digvijay Singh on Wednesday. With the party high command backing him to the hilt, the Chief Minister fielded an array of questions from journalists, and stayed back to savor a meal, which included holige, at the Press Club. He signed off, saying “My goal is to bring the Congress back to power in the next Assembly elections.”
Excerpts of his interaction with the media:
On criticism of his government by the Opposition
The Opposition parties have resorted to a negative campaign against the Congress government because they are not able to stand for its programmes for the people. They have misled people to the maximum extent right from the suicide case (of a teenaged girl) in Thirthalli to the recent demolition drive by the state government. We know how the BJP ruled here. There was corruption everywhere. The highest number of rapes was reported during the BJP rule. We have given a corruption-free government. We have implemented more than 100 promises out of 165 we made in our manifesto. Even though we did not meet all expectations, we have tried our best to rise to their expectations. The ‘Anna Bhagya’ programme has benefited four crore people, but the BJP opposes everything we do.
About trifurcation of BBMP
The BJP too promised in its manifesto about division of BBMP, but now has opposed trifurcation. Regarding encroachment of lakes in Bengaluru, the BJP and the JD(S) caused a furor in both Houses of legislature. JD(S) leaders’ demanded the constitution of a House panel to probe encroachment of tanks. But now, in view of BBMP elections, both these parties are shedding crocodile tears about the poor. What stand have they taken on constitution of Balasubramanian and A.T. Ramaswamy committees? Who constituted these two committees? The government has recovered 4052 acres of land by evicting encroachers. Does this not mean that we are safeguarding public property? We will not allow land grabbers and officials to collude. We will initiate both criminal and civil cases against them. There is no question of protecting land grabbers. Whenever people are affected, we will rehabilitate them.
Is the government afraid of facing BBMP polls?
The government is not afraid to conduct BBMP elections. There is no truth in the Opposition’s allegation that government is planning to postpone these elections. As per the Supreme Court order, the government will conduct elections to BBMP.
Your government is termed a ‘AHINDA’ government. What do you have to say?
I will not hesitate to say that this government is favoring the ‘AHINDA’ bloc, and there is nothing wrong in favouring ‘AHINDA’ communities. Along with ‘AHINDA’, people of other communities, too, are receiving benefits of social security schemes. After the Congress came to power, the state government has earmarked more funds for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. We enacted a legislation on the budgetary allocation for the uplift of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. So, we have to spend funds for the welfare of people of this community, but the BJP opposes this as well.
How are the Centre-state relations?
They are good. In a federal set up, both have to work together. We will not fight with the Centre. The Centre too has not shown any bias so far or indulged in witchhunting.
Many feel that the industry sector has been neglected. How do you react to this complaint?
The government has accorded priority to the industrial sector, and Karnataka is the most preferable destination for investors. After we came to power, investments of Rs 95,000 crores was tapped. This will generate 21 lakh jobs in Karnataka. Asian Paints is here. FlipKart and Amazon will not move from Karnataka.
You have been talking about a reshuffle of the cabinet. Will it happen?
After Gram Panchyat polls, the cabinet will be expanded.
You promised to allocate Rs 10,000 crores to UKP projects, but are now backtracking on your promise.
I never said we will allocate Rs 10,000 crores. I had said the total amount needed for irrigation projects is Rs 50,000 crores.
Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa has criticised the government on several occasions. Your comments?
Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa is a senior politician. We accept his criticism and suggestions.
You said you will not contest the elections next time, but have changed your mind. Is it because you want to protect yourself?
Yes, I had said I will not contest the polls, but when the BJP launched ‘Congress-mukth Bharat’, I took it as a challenge and decided to contest the elections. My goal is to bring the Congress back to power in the next Assembly elections.
You are being accused of denotifying large tracts of land in Arkavathy Layout. What’s your take on it?
The BJP and JD (S) said they would fix me, and that they will take the scam to its logical end. What happened? They could do nothing. Ours is a scam-free government.
