Kumaraswamy opposed steel bridge before, why is it being revived now, asks Yeddyurappa

Shivamogga: Reminding chief minister HD Kumaraswamy of his vehement opposition to the steel bridge project that the then Siddaramaiah-led government had proposed, president of the BJP’s Karnataka unit and former CM BS Yeddyurappa on Thursday made it clear that his party would not allow the coalition government to give the controversial project a new lease of life.
The proposal to build a steel bridge starting from the heart of Bengaluru city to the airport road triggered widespread protests from politicians and citizen groups alike. Citizen groups opposed the project, which could have resulted in the loss of more than 800 trees, not to mention damage to several heritage buildings en route. In the face of unrelenting opposition, the Siddaramaiah government had dropped the project. However, the JD(S)-Congress coalition government appears to have revived the proposal sparking a political storm.

“When he was in the opposition, Kumaraswamy was a vocal critic of the steel bridge project. But he is now under the grip of the Congress, which is keen to revive it. The project is unnecessary. It is being mooted again to personal gain,” said Yeddyurappa.

‘Drought-relief work leaves a lot to be desired’

The former CM expressed his disappointment with the manner in which the state government was addressing the problems of people in drought-affected areas. “Identification of drought-affected areas is being carried out with no clear rationale. What is worse, ministers and MLAs are busy touring foreign countries. How can we expect any work to get done from the government?” asked Yeddyurappa.

The BJP state chief also questioned the state government on the delay in opening of paddy procurement centres across Karnataka, pointing out that the Centre had fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for the crop before harvesting began. Yeddyurappa was also furious with the loan-waiver scheme not benefitting many farmers in Shivamogga district.

Queried about his recent visit to former CM SM Krishna, Yeddyurappa called it a courtesy call. “We wished one another on the occasion of New Year, and I requested him to be part of the BJP’s Lok Sabha campaign,” said Yeddyurappa.