Belagavi, Dec 19 (NationPress) In response to promises made for North Karnataka, the state BJP unit asserted on Friday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is a blatant liar and that the Congress-led government has delivered nothing substantial to the region during the Belagavi Assembly Session.

During a press conference, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka stated that the Congress administration has failed to provide any concrete results for North Karnataka and accused the Chief Minister of making false declarations while leading a fractured party.

He noted that the government initially makes promises about irrigation projects but later uses court stay orders as an excuse for its inaction. The Govinda Rao Commission report remains incomplete, he mentioned. Ashoka claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has told outright lies and acted as a blatant deceiver.

People anticipated new announcements from the Chief Minister; however, Ashoka remarked that the government has instead plunged the entire North Karnataka region into darkness by cutting off the power supply. He accused the Chief Minister of merely attributing failures to the Central government.

Ashoka claimed that the state government has failed to allocate land for Central railway initiatives and has not provided its share for solid waste management projects. Despite the Centre releasing funds for the Yellamma temple development, the state has not commenced work, he stated. Although approximately Rs 50 crore was designated for the lakes in Belagavi, the funds have yet to be utilized, he added.

He also mentioned that Congress MPs had questioned the release of funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Lok Sabha, to which the response was that bills needed to be submitted. Officials told the C.C. Patil committee that bills could not be submitted, Ashoka noted.

Ashoka emphasized that issues concerning North Karnataka are routinely discussed in every Belagavi session, and this time the BJP has particularly highlighted the region's challenges.

He stated, "Despite a discussion lasting nearly 21 hours, it has proven to be a fruitless effort, yielding no results."

If Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has presented 16 budgets, admits that injustices have been done to North Karnataka, Ashoka said it reflects his own shortcomings.

"Even with ministers holding key positions such as Public Works and Irrigation from the region, the roads in North Karnataka are riddled with potholes. The Chief Minister claims Rs 10,000 crore will be allocated every year, only to later assert that it is meant for the entire state," he alleged.

He reiterated that irrigation projects are initially promised and subsequently stalled under the pretext of court stay orders, accusing the state government of continuously blaming the Centre.

Referring once more to the Jal Jeevan Mission, Ashoka said Congress MPs had raised concerns in Parliament regarding fund disbursements, to which the response was that bills needed to be submitted. "Officials informed the C.C. Patil committee that bills could not be submitted," he added.

Despite these issues, Ashoka stated that Congress leaders persist in claiming that development has taken place. He alleged that when BJP MLAs sought clarity regarding the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, no answers were provided. When inquired where Rs 5,000 crore had gone, there was no response, he remarked.

"This is a debt-ridden government engaged in corruption and misappropriating public funds. North Karnataka has suffered even more under this administration," Ashoka charged.

He further claimed that MLAs were merely attending dinner parties.

"If there was genuinely no infighting, all ministers should have been present when the Chief Minister was addressing the House. However, only six ministers were present, with nearly 50 percent of MLAs absent," he stated.

"There is no guarantee even for the Chief Minister in this scenario. This government has handed North Karnataka an empty vessel," Ashoka alleged.

Responding during the session, Ashoka remarked: "We anticipated the Chief Minister to announce significant projects for the state’s welfare. I spoke for three hours, and the Chief Minister should have disclosed specific programs. He cannot blame the Centre for every failure. The discussion aimed to tackle issues concerning North Karnataka. The Chief Minister should have clearly outlined what contributions he intends to make in the remaining two years of his term."