Crisis in Karnataka Congress? 11 MLAs said, ‘Unable to work, ministers not responding’; CM Siddaramaiah’s reaction

Hubli/BangaloreKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar on Tuesday denied any discontent within the ruling Congress amid reports that over 30 MLAs have expressed concern over non-implementation of development works in their constituencies, saying there were no such complaints. The legislature party meeting has been called, possibly on Thursday, as part of a routine exercise to discuss various programs and policies of the government and ensure coordination between the government and party legislators, the two said.

who told you? CM Siddaramaiah asked

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“who told you?” In response to a question, Siddaramaiah said that about 30 MLAs have written to him complaining about the work of ministers and lack of development work. Noting that he had called a meeting of the Legislature Party last week, but since Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was supposed to chair a meeting, it was postponed, the CM said he has called it again on Thursday.

“We will discuss it there. It’s only been two months since the government was formed. Legislature party meeting had to be called, so I called. There is no complaint (against the ministers). They (MLAs) had asked to call the Legislature Party meeting, so have called it,” he said.

singapore conspiracy

The chief minister, however, did not want to comment on Shivakumar’s claims that a conspiracy was being hatched in Singapore to topple the Congress government in Karnataka. “About Singapore, you ask him. I don’t know about it, ask DK Shivakumar.” On Monday, the claim of the Deputy Chief Minister has created a stir in the political circles.

‘Unable to work, minister not responding’

According to reports, the Congress MLAs have reportedly complained to the Chief Minister and the party leadership that they are not able to get work done in their constituencies, as well as transfers as requested, and have expressed unhappiness accusing the ministers of non-cooperation.

The recent statement by senior party leader and MLC BK Hariprasad, that he knows ‘how to make and drop a chief minister’, has fueled speculation and is a sign that all is not well within the ruling party.

On his part, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, termed as “false” and mere speculation the reports that 30 MLAs have written a letter complaining about the functioning of ministers.

“It is all a lie, no one has written such a letter. The chief minister and I have requested all ministers to take into confidence all the MLAs and the defeated candidates of all constituencies. Everyone is doing their job. These are nothing but mere speculations,” he told reporters here.

Deputy CM said, “There are some programs which had to be discussed, there was a session of the Vidhansabha. Whether our five guarantee schemes are reaching the people or not, whether there is corruption, we had to discuss all these, guide and inform our MLAs.”

“During the assembly session that ended last Friday, there was no time to call a meeting of the Legislature Party and discuss all this,” he said. Noting that there are some financial constraints as the government has to implement the five guarantee schemes, Shivakumar said, “All the legislators have a great desire to implement the various promises made to the people, but we are asking the legislators to keep them in abeyance for some time. In my own department, the legislators are demanding implementation of works worth Rs 10 crore, 100 crore, 200 crore or 300 crore.”

He said, since the government is not in a position to spend such a huge amount due to financial constraints, the legislators are being requested to keep things in check and have some patience. “The legislators, especially the new legislators, have been asked to go to the constituencies and be with the people as there are rains and floods in some areas; while there is a drought-like situation in other places. We have to explain this to the legislators.”

In response to a question, the Deputy CM said, all the ministers are visiting different districts and doing their work. “What work has not been done by the MLAs, who have their own rights and responsibilities? Ministers have worked regarding transfers within the time limit, the rest has been left to the chief minister,” he said. “There is no dissent, it is just a creation of the media”.