Banter, repartee mark discussion on budget proposals

The Legislative Assembly witnessed several lighter and politically charged moments on Wednesday during the reply of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the discussion on the State budget proposals for the financial year 2016-17.

At one point during his two-and-a- half-hour reply, the BJP members stated that Siddaramaiah, who holds the finance portfolio, was misleading the House on the state borrowings. “You are all experts, I know nothing,” said Siddaramaiah, without much sarcasm in his voice. “But how can a person who knows nothing become the chief minister by overriding several senior and political heavyweights in the Congress?” sought to know BJP’s C T Ravi. “It is because of people’s blessings,” came the answer from Siddaramaiah who joined the Congress after quitting the JD(S) in 2006.

Soon, the tit-for-tat turned towards which party would come to power in 2018 when the Assembly elections in the state are scheduled to be held. “You can write on the walls of the House that the BJP will come to power,” said Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar. “Stop day dreaming,” shot back Siddaramaiah and added that the Congress was certain of a second term.

“We have pledged to make the country Congress-free and will make the state Congress-free, too,” Shettar said.

Ravi predicted that Siddaramaiah would be the last Congress chief minister in the State. “Campaign against you within the party has already started. (Former chief minister) S M Krishna has filed a charge sheet against you with the high command,” Ravi said. Siddaramaiah chose to ignore the comment.

Recalling his hardship during his childhood when he had to graze cattle, Siddaramaiah asked Industries Minister R V Deshpande whether he had to go through such an experience. “One gets to know the hardship of poverty only through experience. But you were well off as your father was a landlord,” Siddaramaiah said.

Deshpande stood up with folded hands and said, “I have not gone through such hardship and pray God I never will. Nobody should.”

Siddaramaiah said, “Nobody will. That is why we have launched programmes like Vidyashree and Annabhagya.”