BENGALURU: Discontent was palpable among Congress legislators over the budget proposals of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday with some senior leaders expressing their concern the fuel price hike would take the wind out of the sails of a nationwide campaign launched by party president Rahul Gandhi against the BJP-led NDA government.
“Mr Gandhi has been spearheading the campaign against the Union government and mounting pressure to reduce the prices of fuel. Now, BJP leaders will get a stick to beat us once the budget proposals are approved and placed in public domain,” remarked one leader. While a cautious former CM Siddaramaiah declined to comment on the budget proposals and suggested to the media that they seek Mr Kumaraswamy’s reaction, former ministers H K Patil and Tanveer Sait were vocal in expressing their ire against the Chief Minister.
Mr H. K. Patil, who was denied a cabinet berth during formation of the coalition ministry, was bitter about the neglect of north Karnataka region during his interaction with the media. “We, from north Karantaka region, were anticipating that Mr Kumaraswamy will announce a few noteworthy schemes for the region, just like he has done for southern Karnataka. I feel that north Karnataka has been completely let down,” he said.
He, however, welcomed the move by the Chief Minister to waive loans. "Our party stood behind his decision to waive farmers loan, a move which has brought much relief to our farmers," he added. However, former minority welfare minister, Mr Sait, said the neglect of minorities and their welfare was unacceptable.
"If we go through the entire budget speech, there is not a single mention of schemes or minorities though Mr Kumaraswamy has announced many schemes under the Muzarai department. This, according to me, is a grave injustice for minorities who voted for Congress overwhelmingly and the party in turn, supported Mr Kumaraswamy to head this government. Though I unconditionally welcome Mr Kumaraswamy's decision to continue all schemes announced by the previous Congress government, it does not mean that Mr Kumaraswamy should ignore minorities," he added.
