Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday lambasted opposition parties for describing development works taken by the state government as a gimmick.
Speaking after inaugurating a Rs 25-crore underpass on Magadi Road in the city, the chief minister said that it has become a habit for opposition parties to criticise or describe development works as an election stunt or a gimmick. “The people of Karnataka will decide which is a gimmick and which is an election stunt,’’ the chief minister said.
Coming down heavily on Opposition parties, he said that putting a photo of Basavanna at government’s office, naming after a university after Akka Mahadevi, establishing Kempe Gowda Development Authority and the government’s plan to have a separate flag for Karnataka are like gimmicks. “Let the Opposition leaders read Indian Constitution to know which is correct and which is not,’’ he said.
Lambasting former corporator N R Ramesh for alleging Rs 65 crore scam in establishing Indira canteens, he wondered whether or not Ramesh knows mathematics. “I also practiced as an advocate. He deserves to file a case against him. I want the lawyers to think on filing a defamation case against him,’’ he said.
The chief minister said that some people get information from the government through Right to Information Act then express opposition to developmental works by telling lies. “No one should tell lies in democracy. People should condemn those who tell lies,’’ he said.
The Rs-25 crore underpass at Magadi Road leading to Siddaiah Puranik Junction constructed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
The chief minister listed out various measures taken up by the government under Nagarothana scheme to ensure overall development of the city. “All police stations in the city would be provided with a Pink Hoysala to help women and children in the hour of crisis by rushing to scene of trouble within 15 minutes,” he said.
The Indira canteens, to provide subsidised food to urban poor, would come up in 125 wards on August 15 and the remaining would be started during October, he added. The four-lane 315-metre length turnkey project was delayed due to rocky terrain. The objective of this underpass is to ease traffic congestion in the area.
Bangalore Development Minister K J George, Housing Minister M Krishnappa. Legislators Priyakrishna, S Sureshkumar, H M Revanna Mayor G Padmavathi, Deputy Mayor Ananda and others were present.
