Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is set to face the upcoming assembly elections with a report card of good governance, a vibrant state economy and a “responsible government”.
As the chief guest at CNN-News18’s Bengaluru townhall on Tuesday, Bommai spoke at length on issues such as corruption, reservation, state revenue and BS Yeddyurappa’s role in the BJP’s political fortunes.
Bommai believes that his government brought Karnataka’s economy back on track and that the state’s growth story has continued ever since the BJP took over. He said that though initially the BJP was not forced to form the government, but after the fall of the Congress-JD(S) alliance, the party has made a lot of impact in the short term it has been in power, especially in elections. last year and a half.
He said that despite the fact that floods hit the state, it did not stop the growth story of Karnataka.
He said, ‘When we took over, my state’s revenue collection was in deficit by Rs 5,000 crore. In less than 6 months, we recovered from this and added Rs 13,000 crore and today we have the highest GST collection in the country after Maharashtra,” said the Karnataka CM.
Karnataka is one of the key states driving India’s growth story and Bommai said that with strong agricultural production, and being one of the states with the highest FDI for the last five quarters, the government was brought back on track by the BJP Is. It is also the most preferred destination with its progressive policies, especially in the areas of research and development and electric vehicles.
Bommai described his government as “sensitive and responsible”, saying that this is because it has responded to every problem that has come up. He also emphasized that his government has laid emphasis on planning and also focused on women’s health, child development.
“We have responded quickly and doubled the compensation for the agriculture sector with the help of digital platforms… have responded to the demands in the health sector by doubling the availability of dialysis machines, chemotherapy, providing cochlear implants and treating the elderly with eye defects Have treated… All this, Bommai said, was answered efficiently and quickly.
Speaking about his budget in the backdrop of allocations for ecology and environment, Bommai also said that his government was the first to recognize the ecological deficit and took it as a serious concern. His budget provided a green budget where it identified the ecological deficit and allocated funds for environment and ecology.
“We are doing our best to ensure that the decline is addressed so that we do not reach a point where it becomes an irreparable loss,” Bommai said.
Answering questions on politics, Bommai said a game is played in two ways: one is to play it so that no one loses; The other is to play to win.
He said, ‘I believe in playing to win.
Bommai said the BJP has been on the rise since 2004 and its performance has only improved with every election. “Though we have not yet reached the magic figure, we are close. The BJP has been successful in changing the political landscape and our strength has been our growth. The people of Karnataka have realized that they need to give a decisive mandate And they are looking towards the BJP, which has done so politically, administratively and by ruling the state, or the support for the BJP to return to power.
When asked about concessions like 200 units of free power offered by Congress, BJP and other parties, Bommai said the voters of Karnataka know what 100 per cent cheap is and they will not accept it.
“No matter how poor a man is, he seeks help in what he does… one that helps strengthen the bottom of the pyramid. We have to strengthen the working people. Kannadigas are proud of themselves ) and so we have to give them strength and that is the focus of the government. You cannot fool the people… There is a saying that you cannot fool the people all the time.
Asked whether the BJP would forge an alliance with the JD(S), Bommai said it was clear that the saffron party would not do so. He said that he believes that JD(S) should not be given a chance to play and it is Congress which spreads the rumor that BJP and JD(S) are together.
“It is Congress and JD(S) which were in alliance together before we came to power. These are the people who fought like dogs and cats during the elections and later forged an alliance to form the government.”
He said that BJP will win more than 130 seats in the elections to be held this year.
“We are going to win and there are no ifs and buts,” he said.
For the first time, Bommai spoke openly about the reservation demands being made by communities like Vokkaligas and Lingayats. Though the matter is in court, the CM said that his government is working within the legal framework. He said that the aspirations of all the communities have increased and they all aspire to be educated and get employment and their self-respect increases.
“We want to make sure that every boy and girl can get every opportunity. It is mandatory to review reservation every ten years, but it was not done in the last 20 years. We are trying to give social justice and opportunity .. All this is constitutionally correct.
Bommai described Lingayats as a politically mature community which has seen several governments.
“They know who stands for them, who is interested in their welfare, and who is trying to come to power and create division,” he said.
Responding to the allegation of “40 per cent commission government”, Bommai said the opposition had ample opportunities to come up with a strong case against the BJP government. He said that not a single case has been registered and the opposition is not capable. Inquire and put the BJP in the dock. He said that the Congress disbanded the Lokayukta and set up the ACB. But the BJP brought back the anti-corruption body and strengthened it, the CM said.
“Incidentally, corruption and Congress both start with the letter C,” he said with a smile. “You will see how many cases will be filed in the next two months.”
Describing the election season as a time of “political tourism”, Bommai also said that the MLAs who have shifted from other parties to the BJP are not only happy but are working hard to bring the BJP back to power. Are.
“Our party grows by staying together and growing together. There is no problem with those who have come and together we will win.
BS Yeddyurappa has been at the forefront of campaigning for the BJP. Bommai said BSY is an experienced, strong loyalist, Sangh man, and is one who has taken it upon himself to ensure that the BJP comes to power with full force.
“Our aim is to bring back the BJP and they are doing it sincerely. He is attending all the party meetings and I have Yeddyurappa’s blessings. I will continue to work on his policies. Bommai said, he is our tallest leader and the entire BJP also has his blessings.
Not wanting to comment on the hijab and halal controversies, Bommai said these are non-issues today.
Talking about the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi, the Karnataka Chief Minister said that it is about the result. He said he did not want to criticize the yatra and Rahul walked so many kilometers to boost his confidence.
He said, ‘He wanted to change his image and he himself said so, he is not the same Rahul Gandhi After finishing the journey in Kashmir. He has taken the hard way and traveled it. As far as impact is concerned, it has no political impact in any state,” Bommai said.
Will BJP rely on the Prime Minister? Narendra Modi Want to win in Karnataka? Why not, replied Bommai.
He said that PM Modi has been accepted by the people of Karnataka and across the country: as a leader who leads from the front, both domestically and internationally.
“We are on the path of development, our double engine government is doing a great job and our performance as a state has contributed towards making a stronger Karnataka,” he said.
On the issue of infrastructure and how Bengaluru was flooded, Bommai defended his government, saying that unprecedented rains led to the floods, the highest in 50 years. He said that the government responded in such a way that the city was back on track in less than 2 days.
“We have taken a serious note of the situation and I have given over Rs 2,000 crore for work on drains and removal of blockages. Soon there will be very little flood,” promised Bommai.
He urged the people to vote the BJP back to power so that they can have a “Nava Karnataka” which can also contribute to a “Nava Bharat”.
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