By bringing down the Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress coalition Government in 2019 and enabling the formation of the BJP Government in the State, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is responsible for the current social problems and shattering of peace in the State, alleged JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday.
“One community is not being allowed to conduct business in religious places and tension was created in educational institutions on the hijab-saffron shawl issue. He (Mr. Siddaramaiah) is responsible for all this,” Mr. Kumaraswamy told presspersons in Kolar, near here, on Sunday. “We had formed the coalition Government in 2018 in the interest of the State though we had fought both the national parties. But Mr. Siddaramaiah cooperated in formation of the BJP Government,” he added.
He said that the Congress was responsible for enabling the BJP to win a higher number of seats in 2018 Assembly elections. “The Congress’ attack on JD(S) by terming us a ‘B’ team of BJP allowed BJP the win in 105 seats. Otherwise, the BJP would have not crossed 75. Today, the BJP has come to power with cooperation of Mr. Siddaramaiah and scuttling peaceful atmosphere in the State.” Now the Congress leader is accusing JD(S) of having an understanding with the BJP though everyone know the internal understanding that he has with the party, he said, adding that both national parties do not want the people of the State to live peacefully.
Referring to the earlier coalition of JD(S) with Congress in 2004, he accused Mr. Siddaramaiah of harassing and insulting the JD(S) leaders, which led to other decisions. “Even for the then decisions of JD(S), Mr. Siddaramaiah was responsible.”
Mr. Kumaraswamy said that the Yettinahole project has been delayed since 2014, and ridiculed the Congress for promising Yettinahole project to the water-starved Kolar and Chickballapur districts within one year. “I had said then that it is not possible in one year. But how many years more is needed for the project’s completion? The project cost has increased from ₹8,000 crore to ₹24,000 crore. “I am not sure what would be further escalation of the cost. The storage of reservoir has been brought down from 10 tmcft to 2 tmcft. How can Government provide 5 tmcft of water each to Kolar and Chickballapur districts with this storage?” he asked.
