Winter session: Kumaraswamy\, Yeddyurappa trade barbs in Belagavi

Karnatak

Winter session: Kumaraswamy, Yeddyurappa trade barbs in Belagavi

BJP State chief B.S. Yeddyurappa with fellow partymen Basavaraj Bommai and Sriramulu at a farmers’ rally in Belagavi on Monday.

BJP State chief B.S. Yeddyurappa with fellow partymen Basavaraj Bommai and Sriramulu at a farmers’ rally in Belagavi on Monday.   | Photo Credit: P.K. Badiger

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Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly B.S. Yeddyurappa traded words on Monday outside the State legislature over the government’s performance so far.

While Mr. Yeddyurappa termed the Chief Minister arrogant and accused him of treating the Opposition as “bonded labour”, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he did not need a “certificate” from the BJP leader. Later, addressing a rally of farmers protesting against the alleged anti-farmer policies of the government, Mr. Yeddyurappa reiterated his claim that the government would not last long. The CM retorted with, “I welcome it.”

The BJP leader accused Mr. Kumaraswamy of “running a transfer business from a star hotel” while claiming to be accessible to the public. “Why did he choose to stay away from Circuit House in Belagavi if he was accessible?” he asked.

Reacting to this, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “I do not need a certificate from Yeddyurappa. The people will decide. I will respond to him only if his statements are in the interest of the State.” He said if BJP leaders want a fruitful session, they should speak on important issues. He also said the party may stage protests and “they have full right to do so”.

Words over waiver

Predictably, the issue of loan waiver was picked up for attack. Mr. Yeddyurappa accused the CM of indulging in tokenism by issuing “debt-free certificates to a handful of farmers”. He said that his party, which had waited for six months for the coalition government to respond positively to the plight of the people, would intensify its struggle in the legislature to “awaken” the government.

“The BJP will remind the government of its responsibility of taking up drought relief measures on a war footing, initiating appropriate steps to direct sugar factories to clear dues to cane growers immediately, and implementing the promise of loan waiver,” the former CM said.

The BJP man said the Congress and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had realised the “mistake” committed by the party in supporting the Janata Dal (Secular).

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