Karnataka Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday said his party Janata Dal (Secular) had not started talks to arrive at a seat-sharing formula with alliance partner, the Congress, for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
“There has not been any discussion on seat sharing with the Congress so far. When the discussion has not yet taken place, then there is no question of any fight,” Mr. Kumaraswamy told reporters when asked about a seat-sharing formula for the 2019 election.
He said the Congress-JD(S) alliance was going strong and the parties would contest the Lok Sabha election together. His comments assume significance as it comes in the midst of claims and counters by the BJP and Congress leaders.
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While senior BJP leader Umesh Katti had claimed that 15 disgruntled MLAs from the ruling coalition were in touch with him and the BJP could form the new government in Karnataka as early as next week, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah — who heads the Congress-JD(S) coordination panel — rubbished the BJP’s claims.
Meets Modi
Earlier during the day, Mr. Kumaraswamy called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and met other Union ministers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. In his meeting with Mr. Jaitley, Mr. Kumaraswamy sought extension of the GST compensation period till 2025, arguing that the State’s revenue deficit has widened to 20% post-GST regime. Right now, States will be compensated, to match any shortfall in revenue collection, for the first five years since the rolling out of GST in 2017.
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Pitching for assistance beyond 2022, the Karnataka Chief Minister argued that a revenue deficit will affect fund allocation for various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in the State.
“During the VAT regime, Karnataka used to register 10-12% average growth every year. But post-GST, the revenue deficit is found to be 20% against protected revenue,” he said in a representation made to the FM.
Official data shows that in 2017-18, the Centre had released Rs. 41,147 crore to the states as GST compensation to ensure their revenue is protected at the level of 14% over the base year tax collection in 2015-16.
Mr. Kumaraswamy also met Coal Minister Piyush Goyal to request the Centre to ensure immediate supply of coal to Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS). Apart from RTPS, Yermarus Thermal Power Station and Ballari Thermal Power Station are facing coal shortages for quite some time.
Besides coal, Mr. Kumaraswamy urged the Centre to take up construction of a new railway line from Bidar to Nanded. One of the most backward districts in Hyderabad-Karnataka region, it is popular with Sikhs who undertake the Nanded pilgrimage circuit. He sought early implementation of the 154-km project whose feasibility study is ready.