DVS not sure if CM presents budget

Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Sunday expressed doubts on Sunday whether Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy would be able to present the budget proposals for 2019-20 as the fall of the government was “imminent”.

Kumaraswamy, who also holds the finance portfolio, is scheduled to present the budget on February 8.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting to discuss preparations for polls from the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, Gowda said, “Whether he will present the budget or not it is a doubt for us.”

Gowda said the government would fall on its down due to the rift between the coalition partners and the bickerings in the Congress.

“Being a pro-people party, BJP will have to take an appropriate decision at the right time. If required, we will do that too (move a no-confidence motion),” the minister said.

“We are not after power. Being the opposition, we try to correct them. But when we look at their activities and the resultant resentment among their MLAs, we feel that the administrative machinery has collapsed,” Gowda said.

Taking potshots at the current dispensation, Gowda said, “We are monitoring the political suitation in the state. Some (Congress) MLAs have disappeared. Where have they gone? They are not able to locate their missing MLAs.”

Gowda represents the Bengaluru North constituency and is likely to face JD(S) national president and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.

On his prospects against Deve Gowda, Sadananda Gowda said, “I am keen that he contests, I am keen that there is a strong candidate in the fray”