Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday cautioned the BJP government against issuing confusing statements as they cast doubts about the stability of the government and, in turn, affect flood relief work.
Participating in a debate in the Assembly on the flood situation, he referred to BJP MLA and former Union Minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s statement that two Union Ministers from Karnataka were trying to end the political career of Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. “Such statements are bound to make people and bureaucrats think this government will not survive. Bureaucrats will think twice before abiding by the diktats of the government when it is gripped by instability,” Mr. Kumaraswamy said.
Pointing out that the recent floods were the worst that the State had ever seen, he asked Mr. Yediyurappa to consider the situation as a challenge. He suggested that Mr. Yediyurappa divert funds from some development schemes to take up flood relief by taking Opposition members into confidence. “But be broad-minded when it comes to curtailing development works in the constituencies of the Opposition,” he said.
Crop loss compensation
Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah demanded a compensation of ₹1 lakh a hectare as compensation towards crop loss owing to floods. He argued that compensation of that quantum will allow farmers to take a breather before taking up cultivation of the next crop.
