Congress responsible for ‘restless’ atmosphere in State: CM

Congress protest is black spot, says Bommai

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that the Opposition Congress was responsible for the ‘restless’ environment in the State and the party’s protest in the Legislative Assembly during the debate on the Governor’s address was a ‘black spot’ in the history of the legislature.

In a reply to the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address to the State legislature, Mr. Bommai said, “For the first time in the history of the legislature, the motion of thanks was passed without a debate. The Congress was unfit to become both ruling and the opposition party,” he said and blamed the Congress leaders for creating a “vicious atmosphere” in schools and colleges of the State on the hijab controversy.

He deplored the Congress protest seeking resignation of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa for his remarks earlier that the saffron flag could in future fly in place of the tricolour on Red Fort.

The Chief Minister defended his Cabinet colleague and insisted that the Congress held protests for political benefits. But the protest would not help the Congress. The Opposition party failed in responding to several public issues grappling with the State, he said.

Noting the murder of a Hindutva activist in Shivamogga, Mr. Bommai asked the Congress members, "Who is responsible for the murder of the youth?"

Mr. Bommai also highlighted several achievements of the government during the last two pandemic years and the administration of vaccines to 130 crore people in the country. The government has released compensation for families impacted by COVID-19 induced lockdowns and flood-affected farmers in different districts. Funds were released to 17 lakh farmers under the PM Kisan Yojana and 4.52 lakh students belonging to farming families had been given scholarships ranging from ₹2,000 to₹11,000.

The Legislature session was adjourned on Tuesday, three days before the scheduled date (February 25). Both Houses would meet again for a Budget session starting on March 4. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who also holds the finance portfolio, would table the State Budget on March 4.