Bagalkot: Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai alleged that state Congress leaders are neglecting public issues and playing games to secure their positions.
Speaking to the media in Bagalkot on Saturday , he spoke about Congress’s “dinner politics,” and said whether they have dinners or lunches, it is their internal matter. The state is in financial distress, law and order has collapsed, atrocities against Dalits are increasing, students are not receiving proper scholarships, farmers are not getting compensation, and maternal deaths are on the rise. Amidst such grave problems, they are focusing on their political strategies rather than addressing the people’s issues. Instead of solving the issues for which they were elected, they are prioritizing who will continue as Chief Minister or who should become the next Chief Minister. They have completely failed to alleviate the suffering of the state’s people.
Asked about Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s temple run and conducting rituals, Bommai said let him go anywhere, even to temples; that is his personal matter. However, when they should have been addressing the people’s issues, the government and ministers have been busy with their personal agendas and chair politics. It is unfortunate that the state’s people are being neglected.
On the rumors of CM Siddaramaiah’s position being unstable, the BJP MP said from the beginning, the process of Siddaramaiah becoming Chief Minister was flawed. It is likely to escalate in the coming days.
On the state’s financial situation, the former CM said their MLAs are claiming there is no opportunity for development. Siddaramaiah should answer this. The state’s financial condition has completely deteriorated. In one year, Rs 54,000 crore meant for development has been spent on their political guarantees, leading to financial hardship. Because of this, they have hiked the rates of milk, water, alcohol, stamp papers, motor vehicles, petrol, and diesel. More taxes will be imposed. With Rs 40,000 crore additional tax burden in a year, it is evident that the state is financially bankrupt.
On the Congress’s accusation that the central government is not releasing adequate tax shares, Bommai said the union ministers have already responded to this. Congress is blaming the central government to cover up their shortcomings. The state government has failed in financial management and administration
Lack of Morality
On the suicide case of contractor Sachin Panchal and the arrest of Minister Priyank Kharge’s associate Raju Kapanur, he said during the BJP government, then RDPR Minister K.S.Eshwarappa had no role in such cases. However, he took moral responsibility and resigned. Today, they are ignoring all such aspects and conducting investigations. Many facts are coming to light, and everything will be revealed in the investigation.
Regarding factionalism within BJP, the MP said they don’t have any major problems. The High Command has already addressed the issue, and it will be resolved entirely in a few days.
On Eshwarappa forming a brigade again, Bommai said they are all discussing this and will handle it accordingly.
Shah’s Statement Unrelated
Regarding Congress’s allegations that BJP is organizing the Constitution Honor program to conduct damage control following Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial statement about Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the former CM clarified that this program has been organized on the occasion of 75 years of the Constitution. It has no connection to that statement. The program has been ongoing since November 26.
