Kalaburagi: Former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has urged the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna on Indian-origin Captain Smit Machchhar, citing his courage in saving the lives of 174 people.

Speaking at a press conference in Kalaburagi, Yediyurappa appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of India to consider the award for Captain Machchhar. He said the captain’s actions had brought global recognition to India.

Yediyurappa targets government over drought relief

Yediyurappa also launched a sharp attack on the state government over the drought situation, alleging that farmers affected by the severe drought had not received any financial relief.

He claimed that the government had failed to disburse even the announced Rs 2,500 assistance to farmers and alleged that not providing drought relief demonstrated the government’s financial difficulties.

The former chief minister said farmers were facing considerable hardship and criticised the government for failing to respond adequately to their demands.

He recalled that during his tenure and that of former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, steps had been taken to address farmers’ difficulties, including loan waivers.

According to Yediyurappa, farmers are now demanding loan waivers but the government has failed to respond to their concerns.

Only 16,000 vacant posts being filled, says BSY

Yediyurappa also criticised the government over vacancies in the state administration.

He claimed that around 90,000 posts were vacant, while the government had initiated steps to fill only about 16,000 positions.

He further alleged that the Congress government had failed to implement its manifesto commitment on the Old Pension Scheme for teachers.

According to Yediyurappa, implementation of the scheme was among the promises made by the Congress, but the government has yet to fulfil the commitment.

BJP-JD(S) alliance focused on 2028 polls

On the political situation ahead of the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, Yediyurappa said the BJP and JD(S) would contest with the objective of securing a clear majority and forming the next government.

He said the decision on who would become chief minister would be taken by the party leadership after the election results and maintained that the question of a chief ministerial candidate was not important at this stage.

Yediyurappa said BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra had already clarified the party’s position on the issue.

He stressed the importance of BJP and JD(S) leaders working together and facing the 2028 elections unitedly to bring the alliance to power.

Yediyurappa attacks Shivakumar

Yediyurappa also criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, accusing him of believing that the Congress could return to power by relying on financial resources, political influence and the authority of office.

He further accused Shivakumar of encouraging caste-based divisions in society.

Yediyurappa said voters were increasingly aware of political developments and asserted that the Congress would not be able to return to power in the 2028 Assembly elections.

Several leaders from the BJP and JD(S) were present at the press conference.