Bengaluru – Heavy‑industries minister H.D. Kumaraswamy fired up the press on Saturday, blasting the Congress‑led Karnataka government for using the RSS issue to hide its own failures. “We can’t ban the RSS, but why do they keep talking about it?” he asked the reporters at a Bengaluru press meet. He said the constant focus on the organization is pointless and distracted from real problems in the state.
Kumaraswamy pointed to past controversies to back his claims. He criticised the government’s slow handling of the Dharmasthala SIT case and highlighted how activist Mahesh Shetty recently won relief in a temple dispute. “In this administration nothing reaches a solid conclusion. They waste time and mislead people,” he said.
He urged the state to focus on development and to solve farmers’ problems. “Before banning RSS, fix the problems that people face. Just talking about the RSS does nothing,” he added.
When asked about a possible new chief minister, Kumaraswamy said the choice lies with the party. “Under Ambedkar’s constitution any party can pick his leader. No one is destined to be CM.” He also criticized the current government’s neglect of farmers and said B.B. – “I don’t know if the reports reached the centre. Banning RSS isn’t the priority. Solve people’s problems first.”
The minister was prompted by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to present a plan to bring industries to Karnataka, promising land acquisitions. Kumaraswamy reminded the crowd that when he was chief minister, he launched several reforms: the “Compete with China” plan, industrial clusters, employment schemes, and a Rs 25‑crore subsidy package for industry. All were abandoned by the current government. “They lack the capability to carry them forward,” he said.
In response to an open discussion challenge by Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy said Shivakumar had no competence. “He can’t even hold an open debate properly. I never got involved in corruption like him. Understand my work before you critique me.” He highlighted his record, such as launching 4,500 electric buses in Bengaluru and other development projects across Karnataka.
The minister also disputed claims by former ministers that Bengaluru’s industrial growth was a success, suggesting projects were mismanaged or pocketed by private interests.
When former CM Siddaramaiah said he would not ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi for funds, Kumaraswamy countered. “Why should I ask for funds? Congress won 136 seats. When floods hit, I built 1,000 houses in Kodagu without central aid. The current government lacks that initiative,” he asserted.
Attendees at the press conference included Legislative Party Leader Suresh Babu, former Minister Venkatarao Nadagouda, Legislative Council members T.A. Sharavan, S.L. Bhojegowda, Javarayigowda, Vivekananda, JD(S) Bengaluru City unit President and former MLA H.M. Ramesh Gowda, and Choudareddy Thoopalli.
Source: ianslive
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