Karnataka Congress govt blames Centre during every crisis, claims BJP leader R Ashoka

Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Thursday criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for blaming the Centre during the crisis, referring to the ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers. 

“For the Congress government, every crisis has the same solution: blame the Centre,” Ashoka said. 

“For nearly a week, thousands of sugarcane farmers in Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi districts have been agitating on the streets. Only when the pressure mounted did Siddaramaiah abruptly wake up and hold a press conference,” Ashoka said.

“Just as expected, instead of taking responsibility, the state government pointed fingers at Delhi and tried to distance itself from the problem,” he
criticised.

Ashoka pointed out that Siddaramaiah, as Leader of the Opposition in May 2020, had asked then chief minister B S Yediyurappa to take up the responsibility of fixing the procurement price and set up a revolving fund of Rs 5,000 crore to protect farmers during crises. 

“So, what changed after coming to power? Where did all this advice, commitment and conviction suddenly disappear?” Ashoka asked.

Seeks incentive

The BJP leader demanded that Siddaramaiah announce an incentive of Rs 500 per tonne above the fair and remunerative price (FRP) and a Rs 5,000 crore revolving fund. 

'Hides behind excuses'

“When in Opposition, Siddaramaiah delivered sermons to every government. In power, he hides behind excuses and blames the Union government for everything,” Ashoka said, dubbing the Congress government as “anti-farmer”.