Siddaramaiah govt on confrontational path with Centre: BJP

Alleging that administration inthe state has collapsed, Leader of the Opposition in theAssembly Jagadish Shettar today claimed the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government was adopting a confrontational attitude towards the Narendra Modi government.
Speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address in the assembly, he questioned the government about mentioning cut inthe central support to state plan and other central grants inthe address.
Listing figures, he said by making such "incorrect" statements, the state government was indulging in a "confrontation" with the Centre.
"Such confrontational attitude is not good for the development of the state," he added.
Lack of clarity on the central allocation and revised sharing pattern in centrally-sponsored programmes has hit implementation of developmental schemes, the Governor had in his address said.

Taking on the government for repeatedly accusing the Centre of not providing enough funds towards drought relief for the state, Shettar said Rs 1,540 crore given by the central government was the highest allocation in recent times.

Terming the Siddaramaiah regime as "non-performing government", he said the state government had not been able to distribute the amount given by Centre to farmers completely. He said there was "steep increase" in farmers suicides in thestate and government should be "ashamed" of it. It should start taking effective steps rather than just blaming theCentre.
The BJP leader alleged that good officers were losing confidence and getting demoralised due to ministers' interference in their work.

He also alleged that the government was promoting or postingofficials of certain castes or with political backing, and was filing false cases against political opponents and Hindu groups.
As Shettar brought up the issue of violence thatfollowed Tipu Sultan jayanti celebrations in Kodagu district, recently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tried to defend his government. "Please read history properly, don't be prejudiced. Tipu is a freedom fighter. He is patriot and if we rememberhim, BJP and its supporting organisations want to paint itwith political or religious colour," the Chief Minister said. Responding to this, BJP MLA from Kodagu district K G Bopaiah said "for you he might be a patriot for us Coorgies (people of Kodagu) he is always a suppressor for the number of people he has killed and temples he has destroyed.