Hubballi: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has expressed confidence that the coalition partner, Congress will resolve differences which have erupted within the party after Saturday's Cabinet expansion.
Addressing mediapersons while participating in the Horticulture fair in Bagalkote on Monday, he said that he will also speak to all disgruntled senior leaders including former ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Ramesh Jarkiholi while claiming that they are his good friends.
To a question, the Chief Minister said that if the Congress party wants it, he is ready for a Cabinet reshuffle after the Lok Sabha elections. However, he gave clear indications that the onus of pacifying the disgruntled elements is on Congress leaders and hoped that the party would resolve the issue.
Stating that dissatisfaction among leaders is common in politics, he said, "Several leaders have the capability to become ministers. But, I have limitations in running the coalition government."
Asserting that his government is committed to waiver of farm loans, he said that loans would be waived in four phases in the next Budget. Claiming that his government wants to develop all districts of the state including those in North Karnataka, he said that with the objective of giving importance to this region, some nine different offices are being shifted to Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi.
On the proposal to increase the height of Almatti dam from 519 metres to 524 metres, he said that it will be done in a phased manner based on the availability of funds as this requires more that Rs 1 lakh crore.
He however assured that more funds would be allocated for irrigation projects in the coming Budget for this region.
Mr Kumaraswamy also said that his government is making all efforts to popularise the Israeli method of farming and more funds would be allocated for this purpose in the coming budget. He added that the government has already earmarked Rs. 6,000 crore for the purpose.
