CM on 'assurance-giving spree', alleges Dharam

Former Karnataka chief minister N Dharam Singh on Tuesday criticised the functioning of the BJP-JDS coalition government in the state, saying it was on an "assurance giving spree" rather than addressing the problems of people including drinking water crisis.

Several villages in the state, especially those in north Karnataka, have been reeling from acute shortage of drinking water and the government was yet to focus attention on the problem, Singh alleged at a press meet here.

The Congress leader demanded that the government formulate an action plan to mitigate the drinking water scarcity faced by people.

Singh, whose government was toppled by rebel JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy, who later took over as chief minister, alleged that the new regime was yet to "take off".

Questioning the delay in finalising the common minimum programme (CMP) by the new coalition partners, he asked "how will they tailor the budget in the absence of it (CMP)."

On March 28, Rajya Sabha elections, he said Congress president Sonia Gandhi will finalise the party's candidate on March 16.

The party has no plans to contest two seats, "as it does not have the numbers", he said.

Singh and Karnataka PCC president Mallikarjun Kharge met Sonia Gandhi and other leaders in Delhi early this week for consultations on selection of a candidate.