Free bus passes to govt school, college students: CM

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said, that the government was contemplating issuing free bus passes to students of government schools and colleges only.

It maybe recalled that student organisations all over the state have been staging massive protests demanding free bus passes for all students in recent weeks.

Speaking at a JD(S) workers' meet in Channapatna on Monday, he said that students of private schools who pay lakhs of rupees as donation to get admissions don't need free bus passes.

"Let the BJP not politicise this issue using ABVP as a front. I can do one better," he cautioned.

The CM lashed out against TV channels for showing him in poor light and sought to know if they followed any journalistic ethics at all.

He criticised separatists demanding a bifurcation of the state (into south and north Karnataka) saying: "These people have no capability to run a state". He pointed out that 65% of the developmental outlay was made for northern districts.

He also directly hit out against north Karnataka voters saying- "Farmers of north Karnataka are now demanding loan waiver. Why didn't you think of me while voting in the polls? People who voted based on caste and religion have no moral right to question me," he maintained.