K'taka CM refuses comment on Speaker's criticism

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today refused to comment on Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa's critical remarks about his government, maintaining that it was "active'.

"No comments, no comments on Speaker's remarks; Government is active," Siddaramaiah told reporters here when asked about Thimmappa openly expressing his disappointment about the administration in the state.

In comments that has embarrassed the Siddaramaiah government, Thimmappa had yesterday expressed disappointment at the administration and said there is no difference between the present and the previous (BJP) governments.

On Tuesday, the speaker had expressed disappointment at the administration in the state and said there is no difference between the present and the previous governments.

"In my opinion the work is not happening, and the administration is not functioning as per expectations. This is what I have felt," he told reporters here. He said "there is no difference between the previous government and the current government."

Thimmappa's comments came in response to a query on his earlier remarks when he took a dig at the performance of some ministers and what he felt now about the administration.

To a question, Thimmappa said the administration should be such that it fulfills the expectations of the common man, "whether it is police station or taluk office or revenue office".

"We have to administer efficiently, work correctly," he added.