CM takes on Modi for 'refusing' to meet him to discuss drought

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s refusal to give him an appointment to discuss drought in the state as “against democratic principles”.

He told reporters after garlanding the statue of S Nijalingappa on his birth anniversary at Vidhana Soudha that he wanted to apprise Modi on the severe drought in the state. The Centre’s help is necessary to provide relief to people affected by drought. But the Prime Minister refused to give an appointment, he charged.

Crops worth around Rs 17,000 crore have been damaged due to drought. The state is entitled to Rs 4,722 crore aid according to the Centre’s guidelines. Karnataka is witnessing severe drought for the second consecutive year. The water level in all reservoirs is low. The Centre should extend a special grant to the state government to help it cope with the situation, he added.

Besides, Siddaramaiah said he wanted to apprise Modi on the Mahadayi river water sharing issue. The Karnataka legislature recently held a detailed discussion on the issue and passed a resolution, he added.

‘Procedure not followed’
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, however, took exception to Siddaramaiah’s comments and accused him of not following procedures to meet the prime minister. The appointment with the prime minister should be sought much in advance, he added.

The chief minister should have made proper preparations for meeting the prime minister. It is not proper to seek an appointment at such a short notice. “The chief minister should do away with his habit of blaming Modi unnecessarily. We (BJP leaders) are ready to extend all co-operation to the state government in the interest of the state,” he added.

BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje accused Siddaramaiah of not being serious in running the administration. The chief minister recently held a meeting with MPs of Karnataka in Delhi only as a formality. He had not made any preparations for the meeting, he charged.