Amidst exchange of barbs between the Opposition Congress and the JD(S) and the ruling BJP over the delay in the release of central funds, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday said he was “hopeful of receiving relief in two or three days”.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Mr. Yediyurappa said there was no need for leaders of Opposition parties or the BJP to create confusion.
This is the second time that Mr. Yediyurappa is setting a time frame for receiving central funds. In August end, Mr. Yediyurappa had said he was hopeful of receiving assistance in three to four days.
He said that central assistance had not been extended to any State facing floods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a foreign tour, had now returned to the country and central relief would be released in two or three days to all the States.
To a demand from the Opposition for taking an all-party delegation to meet Mr. Modi, Mr. Yediyurappa said there was no need for any “influence”.
‘PM aware’
Pointing out that there was no need for anyone to go and meet the Prime Minister, Mr. Yediyurappa said Mr. Modi was aware of the situation in the country. Home Minister Amit Shah, who had toured parts of flood-hit north Karnataka, was also aware, he said.
The Opposition has been mounting pressure on Mr. Yediyurappa over the “inordinate delay” in releasing central aid as 50 days have passed since the floods. Congress leader Siddaramaiah wondered if the Centre “really existed or was dead”. Referring to Mr. Modi, he maintained that those with humanitarian attitude would have visited affected States. A federation of various north Karnataka-based organisations have decided to take out a protest march in Bengaluru on Thursday.
