Siddaramaiah lambasts Amit Shah over questioning state's funds

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, lambasted BJP leaders and asked who is Amit Shah to question about the state's funds?

Siddaramaiah was addressing a gathering during the launch of various programmes and foundation stone laying ceremony for state government projects at Sargur in the district.

He said, "I am answerable to the people of Karnataka about the funds allocated to the state from the Union government. Who is Amit Shah? Is he an MP or an elected representative from the state?"

"Under the 14th Finance Commission, the Union government has to provide 40% of the tax collection to the state, but, the Centre is yet to pay Rs 11,000 crore to the state. Economist and also two-time prime minister Manmohan Singh had appreciated the state government for its economic stability, during his visit to the state. Shah must read the Fiscal Responsibility Act," he said.

The CM said that Amit Shah, who levels allegations against the state government, was imprisoned in a murder case. "Now, he is speaking against the government and is charging us with corruption. Shah might have forgotten about BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and leaders like Katta Subramanya Naidu, who were jailed for corruption," he said.

Farm loans

Speaking about farmers loan waiver, Siddaramaiah said that even though, the state government waived the loan of farmers in cooperative banks and societies, Union Minister and BJP in-charge for Karnataka Prakash Javadekar described it as Karnataka government's 'lollipop' to the farmers.

"These leaders have no moral right to speak about farmers and Dalits. So far, they were trying to disturb communal harmony, but, now, they are planning to change the Indian Constitution," he alleged.

"The BJP leaders have been claiming that I am misusing taxpayers' money for the state-wide tour. If I am misusing people's money, what is Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing to tour foreign countries? I am touring the state to popularise the government's programmes and achievements. Can the CM tour with his own funds?" he asked.

Listing out the 'achievements' of Yeddyurappa during his tenure as the chief minister, the CM mocked and said, "Bicycles for school students, sarees to women and he went to jail for corruption."

Siddaramaiah said that Yeddyurappa has double standards. "When he was the president of Karnataka Janata Party (KJP), had lauded Tipu Sultan. Yeddyurappa described him as a freedom fighter. Why are Yeddyurappa and MP Shobha Karandlaje opposing Tipu now?" he asked.

Ministers H C Mahadevappa, M C Mohana Kumari, Zilla Panchayat president Nayeema Sulthana, and Bengaluru Development Authority Chairman K Venkatesh were present.