Govt open to discussion on north Karnataka, but BJP not interested, says D.K. Shivakumar

D. K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

The government is open to discussing issues of northern Karnataka, but the BJP does not seem interested, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi airport, the KPCC president said that it was clear from their conduct in the two Houses of the legislature that the BJP was not interested in the discussion issues related to Kalyan Karnataka or Mumbai Karnataka.

“There is no unity among BJP leaders. They are faction ridden. They have no clear plan for discussions on the floor of the House. They are only interested in playing politics over every issue. They are not at all interested in development’‘, Mr Shivakumar said in response to a query.

As to whether the government was ready for a comprehensive discussion on the issue of irrigation with just a few days left in the winter session, the irrigation minister said that he was ready for the discussion, but he would like a discussion on other issues too.

Mahadayi river basin projects

About the Mahadayi river basin projects, Mr Shivakumar said that union minister Pralhad Joshi and former CM Jagadish Shettar had to use their good offices and ensure that Karnataka gets all the permits and approvals.

The state government had made all preparations to take up the project. The work will start as soon as the approvals were received, he said. “A few days ago, I met the Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav and requested him to speed up approvals on our proposals. I have also met and discussed the issue with Mr Joshi. He told me that he had discussed with the Forest Minister and made the similar request,’‘ he said.

‘BJP leaders must take up Mekadatu project with Centre’

“When the state government announced the Mekedatu project, Mr Shettar and Mr Joshi welcomed the and even celebrated it. Now they have to take the lead and help us get all approvals from the union government, including those from the forest department. When they do that, we will start the work,’‘ he said. To a query, he said he was confident that the state government would receive all due permissions.

About the omission of BJP leaders in the FIR registered about the Covid irregularities, Mr Shivakumar said that the case was filed based on Justice Cunha’s committee report. “The officers will follow it up. We are not here to order investigations against BJP leaders’‘, the DCM said.