Mandya (Karnataka), Jan 23 (NationPress) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy vehemently condemned the Congress administration in Karnataka on Friday, asserting that the slogan “Go back Governor” promoted by the state Congress was futile and merely a political stunt.

He claimed that rather than engaging in self-reflection, the Congress-led government was waging a deceptive campaign against the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) scheme to mask the wrongdoings and illegalities it has perpetrated over the last two-and-a-half years.

Speaking to reporters post the inauguration of the freshly constructed Sri Maramma Devi Temple at Shivalli village in the Melukote Assembly constituency, Kumaraswamy remarked that the Congress should reflect on its past actions regarding Governors to grasp its own contradictions.

“They are squandering time by calling a special session. This isn’t the first instance of a Governor not delivering a speech or abbreviating it. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was Deputy Chief Minister during J.H. Patel's tenure, should recall what transpired then. What we are witnessing now is an unnecessary clash within the Legislative Assembly,” he stated.

“Will such confrontations resolve the state’s issues? ‘Go back Governor’ is merely a political spectacle,” the Union Minister stated.

He accused the state government of attempting to target the Centre by bringing up the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) matter, claiming that this was the motivation behind convening the special session.

“They repeatedly invoke the name of Dalits to bolster their political standing. The Congress government has misused funds intended for Scheduled Castes and other backward communities to implement guarantee schemes. Is this what true upliftment of Dalits entails?” he questioned.

Kumaraswamy alleged that numerous irregularities had occurred under the current government. “While the Governor possesses the power to act against unlawful decisions, he has not confronted our government like Governors in other states have. The Congress administration has failed to grasp this,” he asserted.

He further accused the state government of lacking transparency with the Centre regarding Central funds and not maintaining trust. “Due to their blunders, certain National Highway projects have been canceled. Who bears the responsibility for this?” he inquired.

Accusing the government of perpetually wronging farmers, Kumaraswamy stated: “Have you safeguarded the farmers who cultivated crops? How much crop procurement have you completed as per the standards set by the Centre? When mango prices plummeted, they approached the Centre for assistance. During my tenure as Chief Minister, when mango prices dropped, the state government itself provided compensation. They are unable to function but keep finding excuses to blame the Centre.”

“Conflict will not remedy issues. I urge the state government to address matters by fostering trust with the Centre. They assert they pay substantial taxes, but it is the populace that pays taxes. The Assembly should deliberate on the state’s challenges. Mere theatrics will yield no results,” he added.

When asked about his return to state politics, Kumaraswamy affirmed that Karnataka is his political arena.

“I will contest elections from wherever the people desire me to. I had no intention of running for the Lok Sabha from Mandya; I wanted Puttaraju to contest. Circumstances compelled me to step in. I never anticipated becoming an MP or a Union Minister. Those who departed our party claimed JD(S) was finished. They do not comprehend how our party is gaining strength. Some individuals are fixated on JD(S) and are perpetually anxious about its elimination,” he said.

In response to a query regarding former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s claim that there would be no alliances in local body elections, Kumaraswamy stated that JD(S) and BJP would collaborate to dismantle what he termed the Congress government’s misgovernance.

“We will make decisions about alliances based on the public's expectations. Competition at the local level is natural and exists within all parties. Party members discuss positions and status. We will arrive at a final decision on these matters,” he concluded.

Former minister C.S. Puttaraju was also present.