Bengaluru: As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completes six months in office, he scores in the rebuilding of Brand Congress, and for that matter, Brand Siddaramaiah but his hold over the state's conflicted administration could be better.
The Kuruba strongman did not belie expectations as he announced a slew of populist schemes soon after he took over, much to the chagrin of his detractors, but several flip-flops in decisions have left much to be desired.
He has contradicted himself many times in these six months, be it on the issue of introduction of cheap liquor to the latest one on the anti-superstition bill. Many in Congress attribute this to his confidants who ill-advise Siddaramaiah leading to more confusion on administrative matters.
On political matters, he has been more sure-footed, snatching two important Lok Sabha seats from Janata Dal (S) in two bypolls though the Congress nominated rookies as candidates.
His populist schemes-Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya and others listed in his budget have earned him much praise in rural areas as the leader has ensured that the support base of the Congress swells before crucial elections to Lok Sabha next year. Besides, he has been in constant touch with people and addressed their woes through 'Janata Darshan held almost every week.
Though he vowed to fix Bengaluru's crumbling infrastructure, captains of the industry have been kept waiting for some positive change after the Chief Minister's sole trip around the city in six months hasn't seen the long awaited transformation.
Next: CM races ahead with good schemes
CM races ahead with good schemes
Bengaluru: On Wednesday, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah will complete six months in office.
On May 13, when he was sworn in as chief minister, over a lakh people gathered at the Kanteerava outdoor stadium and many more outside the venue to witness the historic event as many had believed Siddaramaiah would never become chief minister.
It was after a gap of nine years that the Congress had managed to form a government with a clear majority, so the expectations were high among people in rural areas and among Bengalureans as well.
They were not disappointed by the chief minister, who took some decisions, albeit populist in nature, hours after he assumed office. No one was surprised because those who have observed his career know him as an able administrator and a task master.
He did fairly well to take control of the mundane administration and political situation. He got his budget passed, reviewed the departments half a dozen times. As a result, he managed to get over 270 government orders issued which is a must for the implementation of the budget. Implementing the promises made in the manifesto, he successfully launched schemes like Anna Bhagya and Ksheera Bhagya which earned him accolades from the rural electorate.
Siddaramaiah would perhaps know what people want, so, he is giving them just that. In no less than three months after he assumed office, the Congress wrested two Lok Sabha seats from the Janata Dal (S).
