Cong spokesperson Lakshman asks new union minister HDK to keep promise on construction of Mekedatu dam

Mysuru, NT Bureau: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson M Lakshman on Wednesday clarified that he had never issued a statement asking the state government to stop the five poll guarantees schemes and claimed that his statement was misquoted by the media.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference held here, he said he had asked the CM to only to review the Gruha Jyoti scheme of free power supply of upto 200 units of power to all households as even families who have been drawing Rs 3 lakh salary every month are availing the benefit of this scheme. He also denied that he ever called voters “sadists”.

He demanded that newly inducted union minister for steel and major industries H D Kumaraswamy resolve the issues pertaining to the state including interstate river water sharing disputes such as Cauvery and Mahadayi as promised during the Lok Sabha poll campaign.

Kumaraswamy must also keep his word and ensure permission for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir water project across river Cauvery in Kanakapura taluk, he said.

As Karnataka was meted out injustice with regard to drought relief funds and its rightful GST share, Kumaraswamy must prevail upon the government to ensure justice for the state, he said.

Though people of the state have elected 19 MPs from NDA including two from JD(S) and five MPs were inducted into the union cabinet, he alleged that the PM has allocated ministries to those from influential communities neglecting scheduled castes, tribes, backward classes and minorities.

City Congress President R Murthy and former ZP President BM Ramu were present.