Bengaluru, March 2 (IANS) Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka announced that a protest would be held on the first day of the legislative budget session on Monday against the Karnataka Congress government for continuously insulting the Governor.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he stated: “The Congress government is repeatedly insulting the Governor. On one hand, they disrespect him, and on the other, they make him praise their government. In protest against this, the BJP will hold a demonstration on March 3. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, JD (S) Leaders Suresh Babu and Bhojegowda and several other MLAs will join the protest. The leaders will take up the protest march from the MLAs’ quarters to Vidhana Soudha on Monday morning.”
He said that, besides, there is no progress in developmental works in the state. Even Congress MLAs themselves have admitted this. Meanwhile, the government is taking loans of Rs 1 lakh crore, claiming a lack of funds, while imposing heavy taxes on the people. In response to this, a padayatra (foot march) and protest will be held on March 7, from MLAs’ quarters to Vidhana Soudha,” he further declared.
He further criticised the Siddaramaiah-led government, stating: “The government has used funds meant for Dalits to fulfil their guarantee schemes. The money allocated for Dalit welfare should be used only for schemes related to Dalits. During the elections, they promised free benefits for everyone, but now they are diverting Dalit funds. Earlier, they accused the BJP of taking a 40 per cent commission and claimed that they would use that money for guarantees. Now, even contractors themselves have spoken about the commission system under the Congress government.”
Criticising Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, he remarked: “He said that people should behave submissively. Now, he is threatening film artists, saying he will ‘tighten the nuts and bolts’ on them. Before doing that, let him first address those opposing him in the Congress, including Minister K.N. Rajanna. No film artists were invited to the event, yet they are being threatened. This is dangerous for democracy. Film artists are not slaves of the Congress party. Their blessings do not determine the success of movies.”
He further stated: “Threats and hooliganism have no place in a democracy. The BJP government had always provided substantial support to the film industry. If late Ambareesh were alive today, he would have given a fitting reply to these statements. The film industry should strongly condemn these remarks, as they are an insult to artists. D.K. Shivakumar must apologize immediately.”
Comparing leadership styles, Ashoka stated, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with leaders like Sharad Pawar and former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, has always shown immense respect for everyone. He is a model for giving respect, whereas Shivakumar has become a model for issuing threats.”
–IANS
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