'Govt in position to mortgage itself for funds'

Charging that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state is crossing the limits of financial discipline while borrowing, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar asked Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to issue a white paper on the financial condition of the government.

"The government has more than Rs 3 lakh crore loan burden. Recently, it raised Rs 1,500 crore loan through bands, and it is trying to raise around Rs 80,000 loan more. The government is heading towards bankruptcy, and it may go into a coma after being hit by paralysis," he said.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Shettar observed that Kumaraswamy is struggling to arrange funds to implement programmes announced by Siddaramaiah during his last months as the chief minister, and only 12% of the government funds are being spent for development works.

"Even to implement farm loan waiver scheme, this government is raising loan. The government is in a position to mortgage itself to get funds, like Tipu Sultan who mortgaged his children to the British. Government is not focusing on managing the drought situation. Migration of rural people cannot be stopped if they get MGNREGS wages once in a month, he noted."

Shettar added that the government is blaming the Centre of not release funds, "which is a half truth." To get expected MGNREGS and input subsidy amount, the state government has to convince the Centre with supporting documents, Shettar said.

'Hit-wicket soon'

"Due to the infighting within the coalition government, it may fall like 'hit-wicket' soon. Siddaramaiah will be the cause of the fall of the government. But, Congress high-command wants to use this government as an ATM for it at least till Lok Sabha elections," Shettar charged.

"Congress ministers and MLAs who support Siddaramaiah are now showing faith in the chief minister. In such a situation, Kumaraswamy should resign, if he has honesty, instead of giving dramatic statements repeatedly," he said.

BJP is not in touch with Congress or JD(S) MLAs, and those who are levelling 'Operation Lotus' allegation against BJP are hiding their failures and infighting, Shettar said.

"Siddaramaiah called others 'Lafanga'. But he is behaving like a 'Lafanga' now, as he behaved rudely with a woman. Earlier, also he showed rowdyism by kicking the door of the Legislative Assembly in Vidhan Soudha.

On encroachments

"Deputy commissioner has instructed officials concerned to take steps to clear encroachments including Dargahs that are hindering road development works. We will wait for one week, and will launch a struggle later," Shettar said.

"I have asked the chief secretary to invite President of India for the inauguration of the BRTS after all works of the project are completed. I will soon meet Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, to get the plan for flyover project approved, he added.

Mayor Sudhir Saraf, Deputy Mayor Menaka Hurali, BJP leaders Mahesh Tenginkai, Mallikarjun Savakar, and others were present.