BJP State unit president and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that development work has come to a standstill after the Janata Dal(S)-Congress coalition government came to power in the State. Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Mr. Yeddyurappa took a dig at the successive chairpersons of the Hyderabad Karnataka Region Development Board (HKRDB) for not utilising the funds received in the last five years for the development of the region.
The then Congress government in the State had allocated ₹ 4,380 crore between 2013-14 and 2017-18 to the board, of which only ₹ 2,280 crore was spent on various development works, he added.
Accusing Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of just doing lip service by announcing crop loan waiver for farmers, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that there is no progress and clarity on loan waiver even three weeks after the decision was taken. The agrarian distress in the State continued to claim lives.
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The coalition government has done nothing to stop farmers from committing suicide, he criticised.
Mr. Yeddyurappa rubbished the allegations made by Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar that the Opposition party was trying to poach his party MLAs. However, he also remained tight-lipped about the BJP’s future moves. He maintained silence when asked whether the coalition government in the State will complete its full term.
The former Chief Minister also refused to react to Mr. Kumaraswamy’s recent statement that Belagavi would be declared the second capital of the State.
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When asked about his stand on statehood for North Karnataka, Mr. Yeddyurappa recalled the struggle by many Kannada stalwarts who sacrificed themselves for the sake of the Ekikarna movement. Mr. Yeddyurappa asked the people of North Karnataka not to allow separatist sentiments to take over.
He hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for according constitutional status to the National Backward Classes Commission.
Deputy Leader of Opposition Govind Karjol, MLC Raghunath Rao Malkapure and B.G. Patil and MLAs was present.
Mr. Yeddyurappa also inspect the ongoing works at the Kalaburagi airport and later addressed a party meeting.