JOIN US Jagadish Shettar on Friday said that though he has served a short stint of seven months as the chief minister, he has acquired experience of being in the position for full five years.
“I am in eighth month as the chief minister. I have participated in three legislative sessions including the present one. However, in this short period I have gone through many ups and downs. Every time there was some problem, assistance of party colleagues and blessings of public at large, helped me to resolve it,” he told the Legislative Council in his last speech of the budget session.
Later in the Assembly, he said the ruling party should face criticism from Opposition parties in positive spirit and should try to correct itself. At the same time it will not serve any purpose if Opposition parties stage protests frequently and disrupt the proceedings, he added.
He thanked all the members for rising to the occasion and assisting the government in tackling the Cauvery water crisis. “There were no party differences while fighting for Cauvery water. This is was a great experience for me,” he said.
Congress leader T B Jayachandra said despite frequent political upheavals the ruling party managed to complete its term. But the instability affected the day-to-day administration. “I hope the 14th Assembly will be different and there will be effective governance,” he said.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar said: “People have a bad opinion on the present day political class. Unfortunately, no effort is made to change their impression.”
In the Council, JD(S) member Basavaraj Horatti wondered how Shettar came out of the crisis and managed to survive every time. Horatti likened Shettar’s case to the game of cricket and said whatever was the ball, Shettar managed to hit a six.
The chief minister said: “Many members in the Opposition had doubts whether I would present the budget. Hope there are no doubts left now. I am confident that our government will come to power again and implement the budget schemes which have been announced,” he said.