In Bengaluru, the Chief Executive of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, expressed discontent towards Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda, asserting his alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a survival tactic for his party. During a recent address at a teachers’ appreciation event in Kangeri, Siddaramaiah intriguingly questioned Deve Gowda’s shift, reminding him of a previous vow to leave the country if Narendra Modi assumed the role of Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister, addressing the assembly, conveyed his astonishment at the former Prime Minister’s newfound admiration for Narendra Modi. Highlighting the apparent inconsistency in Deve Gowda’s stance, Siddaramaiah pondered over the transformation, citing the earlier statement about leaving the country in case of Modi’s leadership. The Chief Minister expressed his unexpected surprise at a former Prime Minister endorsing such a dual policy.
Reflecting on Deve Gowda’s past aversion towards the BJP and his aspiration to be reborn as a Muslim, Siddaramaiah underscored the irony of his present alliance with the same party. He remarked on the intelligence of the people, emphasizing their ability to scrutinize and compare political figures’ statements. Siddaramaiah dismissed the notion that the public would blindly support Deve Gowda’s political decisions for the sake of family survival, asserting the changing dynamics.
The Chief Minister, speaking at the teachers’ thanksgiving gathering following P Puttanna’s victory in the Karnataka Legislative Council’s Teachers’ constituency by-election, commended Puttanna’s confidence in seeking the people’s support. He highlighted Puttanna’s efficient service as a voice for the people, having secured victory five times since 2002.
Touching upon the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the candidacy of DK Suresh, the brother of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah projected confidence in Suresh’s success in Bangalore Rural. Contrary to the BJP’s reliance on Narendra Modi’s name, Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for people to make informed decisions, citing their previous success in the face of Modi’s extensive campaigning.
The Chief Minister pledged to arrange a meeting with teachers’ representatives and the Finance Department to address the concerns of the teaching community. He advocated for rewarding those who fulfill promises and work diligently, drawing a parallel to the necessity of feeding plowing oxen.
In his critique of the central government, Siddaramaiah deplored the purportedly imbalanced tax distribution, citing the vast difference between the funds collected from Karnataka and the amount allocated back to the state. Expressing concerns about the state’s development under such circumstances, he questioned the fairness of tax distribution, leaving the people of Karnataka to ponder the concept of justice in this fiscal context.