Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah showed ignorance on the presence of Gujarat Congress MLAs in Bengaluru taking everyone by surprise.
On arrival at Mandakalli Airport at Mysuru to take part in the first death anniversary programme of his elder son Rakesh, CM said that he was not aware of Gujarat MLAs travel plans to Bangalore.
It may be recalled that around 40-50 MLAs arrived in Bengaluru in the last 24 hours and are now staying at Eagleton Resorts on the outskirts of the city. The political developments in that state has put Congress in a tight spot and to prevent Congress MLAs changing sides in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections, they have been sent to Bangalore. The future of Ahmed Patel, a close confidante of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, hangs in balance due to the political turmoil in state Congress. To ensure Ahmed Patel’s victory in the Rajya Sabha elections, Congress has moved its MLAs to Karnataka, fearing horse trading by BJP. On arrival they were welcomed by State Congress MP D K Suresh, who has been assigned the job of treating them during their stay in the city.
The Centre has not asked for any report on recent violence in Dakshina Kannada, CM clarified on the occasion.
On giving religious status to Lingayat community, CM accused BJP of inciting communal divide on the issue. “The steps taken by five of my cabinet colleagues to elicit public views is their personal initiative and has nothing to do with me,” CM reiterated.
“I have written a letter to the prime minister on sticking to twin language policy in Metro, taking cue from Chennai and not force Hindi upon the state,” CM said on the language issue.
If PM intervenes, Mahadayi river dispute can be solved in minutes and it is the duty of 17 BJP MPs to mount pressure on the Centre, CM stated.
“Being a farmer, I am aware of farmers’ woes”, said CM Siddramaiah and criticised H D Kumaraswamy on politicising Cauvery river water sharing issue. The storage level is 40 percent and hence drinking water needs will be given priority this time and at the same time state has to abide by the court order by releasing certain amount of water to TN, Siddaramaih clarified. The issue will be discussed in detail during an all party meeting on August 5, CM stated.
On cabinet expansion, CM said the 3 vacant posts would be filled by August including that of the home minister.
