Life span of ‘arrogant’ Congress government only till Lok Sabha polls: Ex-CM Basavaraj Bommai

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: The ‘arrogant’ Congress government led by Siddaramaiah will last only till the Lok Sabha elections, claimed former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. Bommai told reporters here on Friday that there are a lot of problems before the newly-elected government but it is not taking any emergent steps to solve them.

The state is reeling under a severe drinking crisis and no attention has been paid to resolve it. The identification of taluks facing a drinking water crisis has not been done and money has not been released yet. Despite funds being available in the Deputy Commissioner’s accounts, instructions have not been issued by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to use it immediately to solve drinking water problems.

The former CM also said the Constitution gives the freedom of expression to every individual but the incumbent government is threatening to file cases for political criticism. Cases have been slapped on Dr C.N.Ashwath Narayana and Harish Punja which are acts of vengeance, he asserted. He claimed that Congress leaders are talking about banning the RSS and Bajrang Dal and challenged them to do it.

The state does not have the power to ban any organization since that power lies with the Government of India, he said. The former CM also referred to the differences in cabinet formation of the new government and quipped that it looked like a ‘coalition government’. Referring to the stopping of tenders by the new government, he stressed that. the system must be pro-people and basic works must not be hampered.

On the confusion over the guarantee schemes and people taking steps on theIr own, the former CM said they were taking voluntary decisions and the BJP would stand by them. He also wondered why the CM must wait till the formation of the cabinet to implement the guarantees. ‘’They announced a free ride in KSRTC buses for all women but now, they have plans to impose conditions. This is intended to fool people,’’ he added.

Reacting to Congress criticism over the appointment of the Opposition Leader in the Legislative Assembly, Bommai asked Congress leaders not to bother about it. The people have given the mandate to the Congress Party and it should fulfill the promises made to them. The BJP knows well when to appoint the Opposition Leader in the Assembly and it would be done before the next Assembly session, he added.