Mysuru: Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman said that the response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Vistharak programme, to popularise the work of the Central government and ideals of the BJP, was so overwhelming that if elections were to be held today, the party would sweep all three MLA seats in Mysuru.
Ms Sitharaman who was in Mysuru, as part of a Vistarak programme, was speaking to mediapersons.
The Union Minister said, “Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah must consider the communal row at Mangaluru seriously and ensure the well being of people there by directing his officers to maintain law and order.”
To a question on whether such untoward incidents in Karnataka would affect investments, she said, “Absolutely. In Mangaluru enough preventive measures are not being taken. Karnataka has always and rightly claimed that it is an investor friendly state. Bengaluru and its potential are recognized internationally. At a time when more investment has to come, with this kind of lawlessness and administrative apathy, an impression may gain ground that the state is not strong enough to bring the culprits to justice. Investments will then take a hit and we do not want that to happen. The government here should take more action to bring in a visible sense of security and safety,” she said.
On whether Dalits are with the Bharatiya Janata Party she said, “The response from these sections can be understood by the fact that in reserved constituencies, the BJP’s margin of victory has increased across the country. They are definitely supporting the BJP. The opposition has done only lip service to their cause.” Asked if investments had declined or increased after demonetisation, Ms Sitharaman said, “FDI has beaten all records in 2015-16. In 2016-17 we will cross that record and demonetisation has helped make the economy more transparent. The impression outside India is that with demonestisation and now the implementation of GST, this government is taking strong measures.
