In a bid to discuss the Parliamentary elections to be held next year, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday convened a meeting with the ministers.It has been reported that the grand old party is eyeing to win at least 20 out of 28 LS seats.
According to the Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, the meeting was attended by 19 ministers. CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar discussed the severe droTught situation in the state and no aid coming from the Centre.
People privy with the discussions that took place during the meeting said that there were no discussions on the issue of Chief Ministerial post in the state as the Congress high command had instructed party members not to speak on the issue.
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Debate on Chief Ministerial post
Replying to a question on the confusion created due to ministers discussing in public forum the possible change of guard, he said, “There is no confusion about the CM and the Deputy CM. The high command has said that barring development work nothing should be talked.”
“Since AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala directed us a few days back not to speak about it, there is no question of giving public statements. So, you (media) too should not ask such questions. You have to ask me only about development,” he said.
Drought situation in Karnataka
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Drought situation in the state also came up in the meeting, Reddy said adding that the ministers were told to work to face it.
In this context, he accused the Centre of doing nothing.
“Despite drought the Centre is not paying heed. It did not release even a paisa. During (assembly) election they (central ministers) were coming in hordes to seek votes, but now no one is coming though we are in severe crisis,” he added.
Regarding the Congress direction to the ministers to submit ground reports about the possible candidates for the Lok Sabha election next year, Reddy said it was also discussed and the CM and the Deputy CM will crack the whip later.v
