Siddu has compromised on his political principles, says Shettar

Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar on Tuesday alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had compromised on his political principles and recently inducted tainted ministers despite opposition from intellectuals and freedom fighters.

“There was a lot of opposition to induct D K Shivakumar into the Cabinet. Now that he (Shivakumar) has become a minister, you (the chief minister) should clarify whether he is really tainted or not...You appear to have yielded to pressure. We had thought you were a man of self-respect and would resign from the post. Instead, you chose to compromise for the sake of power,” he said, while speaking on the motion of thanks to Governor H R Bhardwaj's speech to the joint session.

Shettar’s comment prodded Shivakumar who challenged him for a debate. “Come out with names. I am ready for a debate. I cannot be cowed down by any threats,” he said.

Shettar said he was not making any personal allegations against him. He further alleged that Siddaramaiah had failed to take control of the administration. His ministers and officials are not obeying his directions.

The ruling party MLAs have been taking the ministers to task in the Congress legislature party meetings. Senior legislators are demanding that ministers who cannot properly see, hear and walk should be dropped. All these developments prove that the administration has collapsed, he said.

People had high expectations from the chief minister. But he has failed on all fronts. His ministers are least interested in adminstration. The government has been repeatedly erring in taking policy decisions. Whether it is the new sand policy, procurement of sugar cane, CET for admission to professional courses, implementing Anna Bhagya scheme, all decisions are being taken hastily without proper planning, he said.

Siddaramaiah has also failed as the finance minister, with the revenue collection taking a hit in the current fiscal year, he said.