Those in power busy in politics to save position: Bommai

Targeting the Congress government in Karnataka over its handling of the rain and flood situation in the state and in providing relief to those affected, senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday alleged that those in power are busy in politics to save their position. Most of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s time is utilised in “resolving conflicts” within the ruling party, he said, and he alleged the entire government indulged in “transfer business.”
The BJP leader claimed “there is competition and bargaining” in the government’s eyeing “transfer corruption business” (transfer of government employees), while the law and order situation has deteriorated. The recent “confusion” in the Congress Legislature Party meeting was due to “competition for corruption in transfer business.”
The state government is not paying attention to damages caused by rain. “Other than the Chief Minister holding a video conference, no action has happened,” Bommai, the former Chief Minister, said while addressing the media. Immediate relief of Rs 10,000 has not reached people whose houses have been damaged.
The initial assessment of crop damage has not yet been done, no one is paying attention to the loss of lives, and ministers have not visited rain- or flood-affected areas, he claimed. Further, he said no measures have been taken to provide seeds and fertiliser to farmers for alternative cropping in drought-affected areas, and those in government are busy in politics, aimed at saving their position.
The Chief Minister is utilising most of his time to resolve the conflict between ministers and legislators, he said. “During our (BJP) government, we had provided Rs 5 lakh for those whose houses had been fully damaged. It should be continued, and Rs 10,000 should be given as immediate relief,” he said, adding that additional relief given to farmers by the state government last time in addition to Central relief should be continued this time as well. Claiming that anti-social elements are functioning in the state without any fear, he said it was due to support from the ruling party.