“B.S. Yediyurappa’s government was steeped in corruption. Now, when leaders such as Mr. Vijayendra speak about corruption, I do not know whether we should laugh or cry,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said at the ‘Drudha Karnataka Sankalpa’ programme organised to mark the completion of 100 days of the D.K. Shivakumar-led government.
Urging Mr. Shivakumar not to be distracted by criticism from the Opposition, Mr. Siddaramaiah said: “Whatever happens, I ask him (Mr. Shivakumar) not to be bothered by the Opposition’s criticism. The corruption they (the BJP government) committed while in power is there for all to see. Mr. Vijayendra speaks about corruption. That is the tragedy.”
In the right direction
Mr. Siddaramaiah said Mr. Shivakumar had understood the problems faced by the people and was working in the right direction.He also questioned the relevance of the BJP’s padayatra and accused the party of having no substantive issues to raise against the Congress government.
Mr. Siddaramaiah also took strong exception to the BJP and the JD(S) not participating in debates on the drought situation in the State while undertaking a 10-day padayatra in Kalyana Karnataka.
Ignoring burning issues
“There are burning issues in the State. They did not discuss them but have gone on a padayatra. This is a gimmick. Why are they undertaking a padayatra? They do not have an issue and are doing it only for political reasons. The government and the Chief Minister need not pay heed to it,” he said.Contrasting the BJP’s padayatra with those undertaken by the Congress when Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara was KPCC president, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Congress’s padayatras had a clear purpose.
Congratulating Mr. Shivakumar on completing 100 days in office, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the government was moving in the “right direction”.
Taking forward guarantees
“In three months, Mr. Shivakumar has made efforts to continue all the guarantee schemes. At the same time, he has come up with several new ideas and programmes for the people. The Shivakumar-led government is proceeding in the right direction,” he said.A booklet highlighting the government’s achievements during its first 100 days was released at the programme.
