BJP spreading lies on drought: Siddaramaiah

Hubballi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked BJP leaders to exert pressure on the Centre to release drought relief funds for Rabi season instead of politicising the natural calamity.

Siddaramaiah told reporters here that the state government had sought Rs 3,300 crore to mitigate the drought situation in the Rabi season but the Centre has not yet released the full amount. He accused BJP leaders of spreading lies and misleading the public on this sensitive issue. “The Centre has released only Rs1,670 crore. The state has deposited Rs 1,100 crore in the accounts of farmers as input subsidy. Remaining funds will be credited in their accounts,” Siddaramaiah said.

Rebutting the allegation by state JD(S) chief H.D. Kumaraswamy who accused him of trying to split the party, the CM said it is left to leaders of that party to keep their folk intact rather making wild accusations. Reacting to the statement of BJP leader Murulidhar Rao that many ministers in the state have criminal record and will soon line up to go to jail, he said going to jail was part of the history of BJP, not Congress.