Mysuru, May 27 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that the administration had failed on the development front and that the government itself appeared unlikely to complete its five-year term.

Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Narayanaswamy said the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had achieved “zero” in terms of development and had relied entirely on the five guarantee schemes to survive politically.

“Congress betrayed Dalits through guarantee schemes,” he stressed.

“The Congress government under Siddaramaiah has completely failed in terms of development. They believed they could complete five years in power only on the strength of the five guarantee schemes. But now it appears that the government itself may come to an end within three years,” he alleged.

He further criticised the government for allegedly failing to implement the promised guarantee schemes before the elections.

“They claim that they have fulfilled every promise made to the people. But it is unclear where the guarantee schemes have actually reached. Ministers had challenged us in the Assembly, saying that the guarantee money had been transferred. But after the documents were released, they were left embarrassed and emotional. The money still has not reached the people properly,” he charged.

Narayanaswamy also targeted the state government over the Anna Bhagya free rice scheme. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already been providing 5 kg of food grains, while the Congress government had promised 10 kg but later opted to transfer cash assistance instead.

“The Siddaramaiah government had promised to provide 10 kg of food grains. Later, they started giving Rs 170 to some beneficiaries and are now trying to justify it by talking about the Indira Kit scheme,” he alleged.

Criticising Food Minister K.H. Muniyappa, Narayanaswamy claimed that ministers in the government often rebuked journalists for raising questions regarding ration distribution and welfare implementation.

“When questioned about ration distribution, Minister Muniyappa scolds media persons instead of answering. It is difficult to understand how people are tolerating the arrogance of this government and its ministers,” he said.

He further alleged that the Congress government had failed the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes despite making tall claims about welfare allocations under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP).

“The Chief Minister claimed that Rs 42,000 crore had been allocated for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under SCSP and TSP. But nearly 50 per cent of that amount goes towards departmental works. The remaining funds were diverted towards guarantee schemes. This is a betrayal of Dalits,” he alleged.

Narayanaswamy also referred to recent media reports alleging inadequate food supply in hostels meant for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.

“Even food for Dalit students staying in hostels has been reduced. This government is snatching away even the food meant for Dalit children,” he charged.

He criticised Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, alleging that injustice had been done to Dalits after he took charge of the department.

“Mahadevappa only said he would inspect the issue regarding food shortage in hostels. He did not immediately promise corrective measures. Does he not understand the suffering of Dalits?” Narayanaswamy questioned.

He also accused the minister of mishandling the issue of internal reservation and creating confusion surrounding it.

Several BJP leaders and office-bearers, including city president L. Nagendra, media coordinator Mahesh Raj Urs, SC Morcha city president Karthik Mariyappa, SC Morcha rural president Anil Kumar, former Deputy Mayor Shailendra, and other party leaders, were present during the press interaction.

–IANS

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