BENGALURU: For the first time, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convened a Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting ahead of the budget presentation at Vidhana Soudha convention hall. With this, the CM started a new tradition in the state.
Normally, no meetings are held, especially on the day of the budget presentation. But this is for the first time that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a CLP meeting.
The meeting discussed implementation of guarantees made by the Congress party and the economic crisis that the government is facing. It is said that the CM convinced the MLAs on not releasing constituency development grants for the coming months.
The CM requested all MLAs cooperate for eight months as it would be difficult to release crores in grants to legislators like earlier, due to the implementation of guarantees. He assured them that he will release grants of Rs 5 to Rs 10 crore without any problem later on.
“The guarantee schemes are important for us, and the schemes will help us win the Lok Sabha polls. Promote the guarantee schemes, and it will help lift Congress”, the CM advised the MLAs.
During the meeting, the CLP sought information from MLAs on election expenses and set a deadline of 15 days to furnish details to the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Siddaramaiah warned the MLAs to be careful about the BJP’s sting operation and to take all matters seriously.
Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, addressing media persons at Vidhana Soudha today on the Gujarat High Court’s dismissal of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s plea against his conviction in the Modi surname criminal defamation case, said, “Today is a black day for democracy”.
“Rahul Gandhi was dismissed as member of parliament (MP) after he was convicted in the case by a sessions court. Now, the Gujarat High Court has refused his plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the ‘Modi surname’ defamation case”, Shivakumar noted.
“I condemn BJP’s conspiracy. They are trying to curb the voices that are raised against injustice and they get work done through the party activists. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was held for the unity and integrity of this country. We will implement all five guarantee schemes within this year”, the Deputy CM added.
Reacting to JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy’s ‘Lulu Kumar’ remark, Shivakumar said, “My brother talks about me, and it is common to talk like that out of love. Let him speak from his experience and knowledge, I take that as his blessings”.
On Kumaraswamy’s pen drive threat, Shivakumar said, “No matter what is in the pen drive, why carry it around in the pocket? There is a distance of four fingers between truth and lies. Whatever is in the pen drive, let him reveal it”.