Bengaluru, June 10: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has alleged that the state is heading towards two years of political instability and discontent. He expressed concerns that ongoing internal conflicts within the Congress government are impacting governance and public welfare.
Speaking to reporters, Bommai noted that while the transfer of power within the Congress party may appear smooth on the surface, underlying tensions remain “like smoldering embers.” He pointed to recent confusion over the allocation of cabinet portfolios as evidence of the ongoing strife within the ruling party.
Bommai accused Congress legislators and ministers of not fully accepting the leadership of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar or Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, raising questions about the pressure to secure ministerial positions.
According to him, this situation reflects a clear sentiment among Congress legislators that the party may not return to power in 2028.
“There are many challenges. A government can only function effectively when it is politically stable. It remains to be seen how CM D.K. Shivakumar addresses these issues,” he stated.
He emphasized that Shivakumar, often referred to as a “trouble-shooter,” must now manage internal crises without external assistance.
Bommai predicted that the next two years would be marked by political instability, discontent, and a decline in administration. He warned that “the public will suffer due to the internal conflicts within the Congress party.”
Regarding the internal dynamics of Congress, Bommai mentioned that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is “not sitting idle,” indicating that the influence of leaders like Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Working Committee member Siddaramaiah, and the party high command was evident during the initial phase of cabinet formation. He suggested that if Shivakumar’s supporters are included in the next reshuffle, it would reveal their influence within the government.
In response to Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala’s allegations that the BJP disrespected former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda by not offering him a Rajya Sabha seat, Bommai remarked that Surjewala has “very little understanding of Karnataka politics” and accused him of selective memory.
He recalled that Congress had previously removed Deve Gowda from the Prime Minister’s position and had formed and dissolved governments with H.D. Kumaraswamy twice. Bommai assured that BJP leadership is considering giving Deve Gowda the respect he deserves at the appropriate time.
On the rising fuel prices, Bommai stated that the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices is due to issues in the global oil market and that the situation would normalize in two weeks. He urged the state government to reduce taxes on fuel to provide relief to the public.
“When I was Chief Minister, I reduced fuel prices by seven rupees. The state government should do the same,” he asserted, accusing the current administration of increasing taxes instead of lowering them.
He claimed that Karnataka imposes the highest fuel taxes in the country and that reducing these taxes would alleviate the financial burden on citizens. The state government should recognize its financial constraints and act in the public interest by lowering taxes.
Leave a Comment