Bommai predicts imminent discord within Congress leadership

Bagalkot: Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has predicted imminent discord within the Congress leadership. He said this while speaking to reporters in Jamkhandi of Bagalkot district on Tuesday.

Bommai pointed out that within the Congress government, ministers and MLAs are expressing divergent opinions without a unified front. He highlighted that dissension within the government began right from the selection process of the Chief Minister, with Siddaramaiah's initial disappointment and subsequent induction as CM with certain conditions.

Bommai drew attention to the ambiguous statements made by senior ministers in Siddaramaiah's cabinet regarding his tenure as Chief Minister, noting that Siddaramaiah had never officially declared his intention to serve a full five-year term.

"Such matters are not purely internal to the Congress but concern the people of the state, who deserve transparency in the administration," he said.

He highlighted the growing dissatisfaction among MLAs who feel unheard, leading to a perceived lack of progress. This leaves the current government in a state of confusion, with an eruption of differences within the Congress party on the horizon.

Responding to inquiries about the delay in selecting the leader of the opposition in the BJP state president, Bommai clarified that the incumbent state president is actively fulfilling his duties.

"While there has been a delay in appointing the state president and the leader of the opposition, I have been told by the central leaders that the appointments would be done after finalizing candidates for the upcoming elections in five states," he said.

Addressing the issue of drought relief, Bommai said that the central government had disbursed the first installment of Rs 350 crore two months ago.

Regarding drought relief, Bommai mentioned that the central government had already released the first installment of Rs 350 crore two months ago, with funds available in the Deputy Commissioners' account.

He also criticized the state government for its lack of decisive action and its uncertainty in disbursing funds.

Bommai also noted that the Gruhalakshmi scheme, aimed at securing votes for the Congress government, appears to be backfiring and the money has not been released in the second month itself.