Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Friday, refuted allegations that the state government was slack in drought relief works. He said all measures were in place to provide succour to the affected people across the state.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Siddaramaiah said providing water, fodder and employment for the people in the drought-affected areas had been accorded top priority by the government. Water was being supplied through tankers to the parched areas. This would continue till the onset of rains and augmentation of the water sources, he said in reply to a question.
When his attention was drawn to the statements of BJP’s state president B.S. Yeddyurappa, who had criticised the government’s response to drought and stated he would lay siege to Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Siddaraamaiah shot back saying: “Let him mobilize two to four lakh people… he is not the only person in the state with mass support or strength.”
The Chief Minister hinted that he would also be visiting Delhi soon to seek Centre’s assistance. However, he didn’t elaborate.
When a section of scribes sought his response to question on veteran Congress leader S.M. Krishna meeting senior party leaders in Delhi ostensibly seeking change of leadership in the State, he refused to react initially. He, however, went on to say that it was common for senior leaders to visit Delhi and hold talks with the party high command. “Don’t attribute motives or create issues out of such meetings,” he told the reporters.
