Krishna Byre Gowda
Credit: Special Arrangement
Channarayapatna: "Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda had said that the Mekedatu project would be approved within an hour of the NDA coming to power at the Centre. But, even after a year, he has failed to get approval for the project," said Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
He was speaking at the 'Yuva Parva' programme organised by the Congress Youth Wing at Channarayapatna in Hassan district on Sunday.
"Around 19 MPs from the BJP and the JD(S) have been elected to represent Karnataka at the Centre. Even though the Centre is meting out injustice to the state, both the BJP and the JD(S) MPs are not raising their voice. The MPs elected by the Kannadigas are betraying them. The Centre which had assured of releasing Rs 5,300 crore for Bhadra Upper Canal project, has not released even 53 paise till now. The BJP and the JD(S) MPs have no courage to question this," he criticised.
As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Dy CM D K Shivakumar are "raising voice in favour" of Karnataka, the Union government is "conducting ED, CBI and IT raids on Congress leaders", he said.
"Besides, the Centre has been showing disparity in the allocation of tax share for Karnataka. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are being given higher share of taxes. It has resorted to impose Hindi language. Instead of questioning this, the JD(S) is acting like a BJP agent," he alleged.
"The Congress youth wing should take initiative to protect the interests of Karnataka by fighting against the lapses of the NDA government. There is a need to create awareness on this in villages. The youth Congress workers should work honestly and be trained to become future leaders, who can strengthen the party, Krishna Byre Gowda said.
MP Shreyas Patel said the young party workers should explain the five guarantees of the Congress government and ensure the victory of the party in the upcoming local body elections.
Prior to the programme, the youth wing members took out a motorbike rally in the town.