Bangalore: In a loaded message to leaders of Opposition parties and his detractors in the treasury benches, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that he would not continue in office by compromising on his self-esteem.
Though he was responding to caustic remarks by leaders of Opposition parties, his statement was a subtle warning to critics within the ruling party that he would not be cowed down by their tactics. “I resigned when my self-esteem was hurt on three or four occasions. Even now, I will not compromise,” he added.
Maintaining that ruling party legislators were united, Siddaramaiah said the wish of BJP leaders about NDA wresting power in New Delhi would remain unfulfilled. These leaders nursed such hopes even in 2009, but the UPA was voted for a second term, he said adding that the outcome of Lok Sabha elections would have no repercussions in Karnataka.
Next: CM warns communal groups
CM warns communal groups
Bangalore: Coming down hard on communal forces, which he claimed were trying to create unrest by spreading falsehood through SMSes and social networking sites, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah warned they would invite stringent action if they did not mend their ways no matter which party they belonged to.
“Whether it is the VHP, Bajrang Dal or Sri Ram Sene, the government will take stringent action against them if they try to create unrest,” he asserted, replying to the debate on the Governor's address in the Assembly on Thursday. Opposition leader , Jagadish Shettar, however objected to the CM accusing the VHP of such rumour-mongering.
Claiming that law and order was under control in the state, Siddaramaiah said there were far fewer cases of police firing and bursting teargas shells during the last one year when compared to the past few years.
Also there had been no terrorist attack since the Congress government came to power unlike during the previous regime, when several were reported, he noted.
As for Naxals, he said the government was open to talks with those who wanted to surrender and join the mainstream. ''There is a Naxal surrender policy and they will be rehabilitated,'' he added.
Subsidy Burden
Admitting that the state was shelling out Rs 6580 crore in subsidies owing to its various populist schemes, Siddaramaiah said Rs 3500 crore was going as subsidy for the Anna Bhagya scheme alone.
Milk for children in anganawadis and schools was costing the government Rs 430 crore, and the housing scheme, Rs 1838 crore. It was spending Rs 319 crore on the Bhagya Jyothi scheme and Rs 426 crore on the support price for milk producers.
No sites for MLAs
The Chief Minister refused to entertain a request by first time MLAs that they should be allotted G category sites in Bangalore under his discretion.
The issue was raised by Shidlaghatta MLA Rajanna in the House. Several other MLAs who backed him, lamented that while the more experienced legislators had been given sites by chief ministers in the past, they were not being given any.
Siddaramaiah, however,remained unmoved and refused to consider their demand. n 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 Bangaloreans 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).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).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).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).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).the rural electorate. Siddaramaiah would perhaps.
