CM has reduced National Congress to Siddaramaiah Congress: H D Devegowda

Belagavi, Aug 19: Janata Dal (Secular) National President H D Devegowda said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reduced Indian National Congress to being Siddaramaiah Congress and voice of senior leaders of the grand old party has been silenced during his regime in the state.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Gowda said, minus Siddaramaiah there was no voice of Congress party or its senior leaders in the state and none was caring for the party veterans.

He denied commenting on Income Tax raids on Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and alleged that both Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were not making charges against each other due to the understanding between them. Siddaramaiah has not raised voice against BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa or failures of the party ruling at the centre, nor BJP has spoken against the state government. Both the national parties want to demolish JD(S), but we are prepared to take on both the parties.

Gowda said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi if makes a will could give interim relief to the state regarding the Mahadayi issue that could make drinking water available to the parched towns from North Karnataka region. “Myself raised the issue with Modi, but he chose to remain silent. As a prime minister myself had given the interim award to the state in the year 1996 despite running a 13-party coalition government while final award from Cauvery tribunal came in the year 2007.”

Prime minister should hold talks with the chief ministers concerned and come to the aid of the people, he stated. Gowda also decried the union government for not making funds available for the Mahamastabhisheka at Shravanbelagola despite Jain community voting for the BJP.