Mysuru: Union Minister and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy has directed party legislators to launch a “coordinated attack” on the Congress government during the forthcoming legislature session, focusing on drought, farmers’ concerns, alleged corruption and irregularities in recruitment and welfare schemes.
Kumaraswamy issued the directions at a JD(S) legislature party meeting held on Sunday, asking the party’s MLAs to raise public issues strongly and question the State government’s handling of various matters.
Drought and farmers’ issues to be raised
Kumaraswamy accused the Congress government of failing to effectively address the drought situation and asked JD(S) legislators to highlight what he described as inadequate relief being provided to affected farmers.
He directed MLAs to raise the issue prominently during the legislature session and seek answers from the government on the measures taken to support farmers facing difficulties due to drought conditions.
The JD(S) leadership is also expected to focus on other issues concerning the farming community, with Kumaraswamy asking legislators to coordinate their approach and ensure that the concerns are raised consistently in the House.
Opposition to Bidadi township project
Kumaraswamy also asked JD(S) legislators to oppose the proposed Bidadi Township project.
He alleged that the project could result in the loss of large tracts of fertile agricultural land and described it as an attempt to “loot” farmers’ land.
According to Kumaraswamy, thousands of acres could potentially be affected by the proposed development.
He urged party legislators to strongly question the government’s plans and raise concerns over the possible impact on farmers and agricultural land.
The project has become a politically contentious issue, with concerns being raised over land acquisition and the future of agricultural areas around Bidadi.
Kumaraswamy challenges Congress over kickback allegations
Kumaraswamy also hit back at allegations that he had received a “kickback” from a real estate developer.
He challenged Congress functionaries to order an investigation into the allegations, maintaining that neither he nor his father, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, could be influenced through money.
He insisted that the allegations should be properly investigated if the Congress government believed there was any wrongdoing.
His remarks added another political dimension to the upcoming legislature session, with the JD(S) expected to raise allegations of corruption and impropriety against the government while also facing counter-allegations from the ruling party.
NICE Road issue on JD(S) agenda
Kumaraswamy also instructed JD(S) legislators to raise the NICE Road issue during the session.
He alleged that land acquired from farmers for the construction of roads was being used for real estate purposes. He further claimed that several farmers whose land was acquired were yet to receive compensation.
The issue, he said, needed to be brought before the legislature so that the government could clarify the status of the land and the compensation due to affected farmers.
Referring to recent observations by the High Court, Kumaraswamy also alleged that toll was being collected illegally.
The JD(S) legislators are expected to seek clarification from the government on these allegations during the forthcoming session.
Recruitment and welfare schemes under focus
Apart from drought and land-related issues, Kumaraswamy asked party MLAs to focus on alleged irregularities in government recruitment and welfare schemes.
He accused the Congress government of failing to ensure transparency in certain areas of administration and directed legislators to scrutinise the implementation of government programmes.
The JD(S) plans to use the legislature session to question the government on issues affecting ordinary citizens, farmers and job seekers.
Kumaraswamy’s call for a coordinated strategy indicates that the party intends to adopt a more aggressive approach during the session rather than allowing individual MLAs to raise issues separately.
GT Devegowda absent from meeting
All JD(S) legislators, except Chamundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda, attended the legislature party meeting.
Kumaraswamy referred to Devegowda sarcastically as a “senior leader” while commenting on his absence from the meeting.
The development comes as the JD(S) prepares to coordinate its legislative strategy ahead of the session.
With drought, farmers’ relief, the Bidadi Township project, NICE Road, alleged corruption and recruitment and welfare-related irregularities identified as key issues, the party is expected to put pressure on the Congress government on multiple fronts.
The forthcoming session could therefore witness sharp exchanges between the ruling Congress and the JD(S), particularly over land acquisition, farmers’ concerns and allegations of administrative irregularities.