BJP, JD(S) target Cong in K’taka over relief to those affected due to rains | Politics News

The opposition BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka on Sunday targeted the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, accusing it of having failed to provide immediate relief to those affected by flooding and landslides in several parts of the state, due to heavy monsoon showers.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka of BJP and Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy today together visited rain and landslide affected areas in the districts, especially along the National Highway near Sakleshpur.

While Ashoka claimed that the government was “dead” and too busy with scams to respond to the needs of the people, Kumaraswamy questioned the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues not visiting the affected areas so far.

Speaking to reporters here, he urged the current government to continue with the relief given by the previous administration, “in fact more should be given considering price raise and other factors.”

“Care centres should be set up with adequate facilities, but I don’t see that…the government is late (in responding to the situation), Ministers and the Chief Minister should have visited affected areas, but it has not happened. I urge the government to act swifty, provide immediate relief and come to the rescue of those in need,” he added.

The relief has still not reached those affected, he said, “the Centre has given what it has to under disaster management, but the state government has to double it, by adding its share, as done in the past. The state government too should give matching grants,” he said, adding that, but there seems to be no money in the state government’s treasury, it seems to be at the verge of getting “bankrupt.”

Hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s reported statement about Kumaraswamy’s visit to affected regions — stating that it is of now use, Ashoka further said, “let him (Shivakumar) come first, he doesn’t come, and makes negative comments about Union Minister’s visit…relief is being given by the Centre, Kumaraswamy has every right to visit, we are in a federal system.”

“This government is not alive, it is dead. It is immersed in scams…people are watching. Let them show first the government is alive,” he added.

Taking a dig at Shivakumar’s reported statements on his visit and that he (Kumarswamy) should have brought in the military for rescue and relief work, the former CM said, “probably he asked for military to stop scams and loot that are happening in the state under his government…NDRF is working here, it comes under whom?”

Shivakumar seems to be suggesting that Kumaraswamy should not come to the state, he said, “maybe, his hands and legs tremble if I come to Karnataka.”

Stating that he will discuss with the Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari about the destruction caused by “unscientific” National Highway work that led to landslides, and try to ensure he does a spot inspection if possible, Kumaraswamy said work has to happen scientifically to avoid such situation and further damage.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)