How can H D Kumaraswamy govt function with 2 remote controls: B S Yeddyurappa
BENGALURU: Lambasting Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for alleged neglect of irrigation projects and poor fiscal management, leader of Opposition in the Assembly B.S. Yeddyurappa on Tuesday wondered how the coalition could function with two ‘remote controls’, hinting at JD (S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and the top brass of Congress. During his hour-long speech on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Mr Yeddyurappa made several acerbic remarks and allegations against the Chief Minister, including one that the leader was attempting to emulate Telangana in implementation of irrigation projects which would result in inadequate budgetary allocation for north Karnataka region.
He said: ‘’The state government is reeling under a major loan to an extent of Rs 2.38 lakh crores. Besides this, major departments like irrigation and public works departments have allegedly not cleared contractors bills to the extent of Rs 10000 crore, and therefore the state is set to face a resource crunch in the days ahead. Hence, the Chief Minister is bound clarify on these issues.’’
Training his guns on former chief minister Mr Siddaramaiah, Mr Yeddyurappa quipped that the leader was “overconfident” prior to Assembly elections held in May 2018, and therefore he launched infrastructure programmes of Rs 6000 crore to Rs 7000 crore. The Opposition would like to know how the state government would raise funds for all these works prior to announcing schemes in the new budget on July 5
He alleged that the vision of the state government, mirrored through the Governor’s address, lacked vision and direction as it failed to provide a firm assurance on continuation of populist schemes of the previous government. “For the last six months, salaries of Anganwadi workers are pending, Rs 35 crores is pending for towards payments for Indira canteens. This apart Rs 16000 crore pending in KPTCL and speaks volumes about the state’s financial health,” he added. He warned Mr Kumaraswamy that if he failed to implement any of his pre-poll promises made in the party manifesto, they would be taken up by Opposition parties and highlighted as his failures of his government.
“Soon after Mr Kumaraswamy came to power, he was trying to find excuses that his party won only 37 seats, and therefore it will be difficult for him to fulfill every assurance he made prior to polls. Mr Kumaraswamy had every chance of forcing the Congress to succumb to his demands if only he listed one condition that he would accept their offer to become CM only if the Congress agreed to fulfill promises made by his party in the manifesto. You did not demonstrate enough courage but now you are giving many excuses,” he added. Describing the government as “child of circumstances”, he wondered how long it would survive given the fact that the political weather was stormy and both coalition partners had to endure dissent.
