Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hit out at the Opposition BJP on Monday over its allegation that development had come to a standstill in the state due to a lack of funds.
Speaking at the event organised for the inauguration of the third phase of the HN Valley project, which will supply treated water to fill 164 lakes and the high-tech cocoon market at Sidlaghatta in Chikkaballapur district, he said the Government was responding to the BJP’s claim by carrying out development works.
“When the BJP was in power, they did not carry out any development activity. However, we are bringing development programmes and welfare schemes to people’s doorsteps. Unable to tolerate this, the BJP is indulging in politics by making false allegations and by dividing the people of the state,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said the Government had delivered on the promises the Congress had made before the Assembly elections. “Not only have we given Rs 1 lakh crore to beneficiaries under guarantee schemes, we have also taken up development works worth the same amount,” he said.
Earlier, responding to media queries, Siddaramaiah asked whether the Government could have taken up developmental activities at Sidlaghatta worth around Rs 2,000 crore if the state did not have money.
“Doesn’t this show that they (BJP) are indulging in false campaigns against the Government?” he asked, alleging that BJP leaders appeared to be incapable of anything other than lying.
Replying to a question on whether there would be a change of guard in the state as part of the power-sharing agreement, the chief minister said, “If the high command asks me to continue, I will.”
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Siddaramaiah also said the Congress high command had asked him to carry out a Cabinet reshuffle five months ago, but he had advised the leadership to wait till the Government completed two and a half years in office. “Now, I will do what the high command says,” he added.