New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) After Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the Cabinet on Friday citing portfolio dissatisfaction, BJP leaders hit out at the ruling Congress. Referring to the crisis, they alleged that the state might be heading towards an early election following “government collapse”.
Minister for Water Resources Ramalinga Reddy announced his decision to resign from the Karnataka Cabinet, alleging that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had gone back on his promise regarding the allocation of the Bengaluru Urban portfolio.
In another setback, veteran Congress leader and Minister K.H. Muniyappa has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the allocation of the Food and Civil Supplies Department and announced that he will not assume charge of the ministry.
Talking to IANS, Karnataka BJP President, B.Y. Vijayendra, claimed that the Congress has become a “laughing stock”.
“The people of Karnataka are only seeing corruption of this government and how they have been ditched. Now with the new Chief Minister in place, within 48 hours after Cabinet expansion and formation, there is already infighting among senior Congress Cabinet ministers,” he said.
“With the new CM, people were hoping for development but now the indications are very clear. People cannot expect anything from this government apart from corruption,” he claimed.
Vijayendra went on to say, “With the infighting I think we are heading towards early election.”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla noted that no woman MLA has been sworn into the Cabinet as a Minister.
He said: “They (Congress) only raise slogans but don’t have the intent (for women empowerment).”
“D.K. Shivakumar was brought in to ensure stability in the government but now the same things are being continued that had been taking place for the past three years. Their priority is power, not people,” he told IANS.
BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra added: “(Ramalinga) Reddy understands this situation. There are many Congress MLAs and leaders in Karnataka who also understand that Congress is destined to be wiped out from Karnataka as well.”
“By bringing in D.K. Shivakumar, the Congress has attempted to sustain the government for some more time. But the government there will collapse within six months,” he claimed.
However, Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge clarified that Ramalinga Reddy has not resigned from the party and has only resigned from the ministry.
“I think it is only a matter of time. He is a very important leader of the party, and I am sure the senior leadership will sit down and talk to him,” he mentioned.
Kharge was optimistic that Reddy will adhere to the decision of the party.
Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao maintained that such things happen in politics.
“I am hoping that the Chief Minister will be able to sort out the matter. Since 1989, Ramalinga Reddy and D.K. Shivakumar have been members together. They have done a lot of work. So, I am sure Shivakumar will be able to sort it out and come up with a good outcome,” he told IANS.
–IANS
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