Former Minister and KPCC vice-president B. Shivaramu has come down heavily on former Chief Minister and coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah for maintaining silence, even after JD(S) leaders repeatedly claiming credit for development works sanctioned for Hassan.
At a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Shivaramu said Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna have repeatedly commented that Hassan district “had a curse for for 10 years” and that there was no development works under the previous governments. "Even after many major works were sanctioned for the district, JD(S) leaders had been terming the Congress rule as a curse to the district. Why should Mr. Siddaramaiah keep mum even after providing huge funds for roads and major irrigation works for the district,” he questioned.
The former Minister said the three highway projects for which Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone on Saturday were all sanctioned during the Congress rule. “Mr. Revanna has claimed credit for these works. Forget giving credit to the previous Congress rule, he is blaming the Congress as a curse. How can we accept such comments, being part of the coalition government?” he asked.
M. Shivaramu said the work on improving Belur-Bilikere Road (NH 373) was sanctioned in March 2018 and it was upgraded into a National Highway when the Congress was in power. Similarly, the widening of NH75 bypass in Hassan and Channarayapatna and widening of Banavara-Huliyar roads were approved and sanctioned by the NHAI due to the efforts of then Congress government.
“I question my party leaders and the high command, particularly Mr. Siddaramaiah, who is chairman of the coordination committee. If this continues, we may have to launch “Save Congress” campaign in the district.” he said.
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