'Embarrassment for Modi Govt': Surjewala on Karnataka drought relief

Mangaluru/Udupi: State Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala, in a press conference held in Mangaluru and Udupi, strongly criticized Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of blocking the drought relief amount of Rs. 18,172 crores. Monday’s admittance in the Supreme Court has been an “embarrassment” for the Modi-led BJP government, he said.

On Monday, the Central government informed the Supreme Court that the Election Commission has approved the release of funds for drought management in Karnataka.

Surjewala said “The state government, which approached the Supreme Court for a drought relief order, has won. How will the Prime Minister and the Home Minister show their face to the people of the state?”

He further criticized the delay in releasing the funds. “To retaliate against the state for defeating the BJP in the last assembly elections, Modi and the BJP withheld the drought relief funds, inflicting great injustice upon the farmers and the six and a half crore people of Karnataka,” he stated.

“After the drought was declared in September last year, CM Siddaramaiah and several state ministers met with the Prime Minister, requesting the release of drought relief. However, what was due within thirty days remained unreleased for at least five months.”

Drawing parallels with past electoral outcomes, Surjewala likened Modi’s campaign to that of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004, predicting a similar defeat for the BJP.  He said, “During the 2004 Parliament elections, Atal Bihari Vajpayee campaigned on ‘India Shining’, but he failed miserably because he did not understand the problems of the people. Now, Modi is also campaigning in the same way, and his defeat is certain. The BJP, which is shouting ‘abki bar 400 par’, will not even cross 150 seats.”

Regarding the state’s governance under Congress, Surjewala highlighted various welfare measures, contrasting them with what he termed as the Modi government’s neglect. “The guarantees implemented by the Congress government in the state are a model of people’s welfare for the country,” explained Surjewala, and mocked the Narendra Modi government at the Center as a ‘Chombu’ model.

He stated that when the Modi government refused to supply enough rice to provide free rice, an amount equal to 10 kg of rice was being directly deposited into every beneficiary’s account. “1.50 lakh youths are already receiving stipends, and this number is increasing daily. The living standards of the rural people are improving, realizing the concept of equal justice.”

Modi’s government has given nothing but ‘Chombu’ to the people of Karnataka and the nation. 15th Finance Commission recommended Rs. 58,000 crore has not been allocated, farmers’ income has not doubled, and 2 crore jobs have not been created, Surjewala said.

Additionally, Surjewala addressed the recent tragic incident of Neha Hiremath’s murder, condemning the act and assuring swift justice for the victim’s family. He emphasized the need to avoid politicizing such cases.