Bengaluru: The prestigious Hampi Utsav will not be shelved because of the drought in the state as was speculated earlier with Water Resources Minister D.K.Shivakumar announcing that the coalition government is exploring the possibility of holding the festival for a day.
Earlier, Mr Shivakumar had said that the government might put off the celebration due to the drought. This evoked an angry reaction from the opposition BJP, which wondered how the government had funds to celebrate Tipu Jayanthi and not Hampi Utsav. The party had also warned that party workers will go to the people with begging bowls to raise funds for Hampi Utsav.
Replying to this, Mr Shivakumar clarified that he had never said the government had no funds and added that the BJP members instead of begging on the streets, could allocate some money from their legislator's fund for the purpose. Speaking to reporters here on Monday, the minister said that earlier, due to the severe drought, the government had decided to put Hampi Utsav on hold for a year.
The prestigious Hampi Utsav will not be shelved because of the drought in the state as was speculated earlier with Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar announcing that the coalition government is exploring the possibility of holding the festival for a day.
Earlier, Mr Shivakumar had said that the government might put off the celebration due to the drought. This evoked an angry reaction from the opposition BJP, which wondered how the government had funds to celebrate Tipu Jayanti and not Hampi Utsav. The party also warned that party workers will go to the people with begging bowls to raise funds for Hampi Utsav.
Replying to this, Mr Shivakumar clarified that he had never said the government had no funds and added that the BJP members instead of begging on the streets, could allocate some money from their legislator's fund for the purpose.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, the minister said that earlier, due to the severe drought, the government had decided to put Hampi Utsav on hold for a year after officials said they were busy with drought relief work but had now reconsidered the decision.
Mr. Shivakumar also criticized the BJP for claiming that he was behind the leaking of an audio clipping on ‘attempts’ to dethrone the H.D. Kumaraswamy government.
On Sunday, newly elected Ballari Congress MP Mr V.S. Ugrappa had said that the government had no intention of shelving the Utsav, started by former Deputy CM late M.P. Prakash and had also said that the chief minister would announce the rescheduled dates.
