Mysuru: Miffed over former CM Yeddyurappa’s repeated salvos at his government during the recent months, chief minister Siddaramaiah hit back at him in a harsh tone during his visit here on Sunday.
Speaking to mediapersons at his Mysuru residence, Siddaramaiah sought to know if Yeddyurappa had to go to jail during his tenure because of any people-friendly projects or governance.
Yeddyurappa, as the former CM, had said recently that the style of functioning of Siddaramaiah government had brought about embarrassment. When the mediapersons brought it to the attention of the CM, he said that if at all Yeddyurappa had adhered to democratic norms and requirements, there was no necessity for him to land in jail.
Challenging BSY to answer this question first, Siddaramaiah said that someone who had gone behind bars on charges of corruption and misuse of power had no moral standing to speak about the present government in the state. He added that Yeddyurappa, after losing power, had been going through a state of despair.
He further said that Yeddyurappa had failed to provide proper governance and had landed in jail and that he (Siddarmaiah) was under no obligation of listening to moral lessons from such people.
Responding to Yeddyruappa’s charge that the present government was stuck in a debt-trap, the CM said that it was far from the truth. Speaking further, he said that his government had raised loans within its limitations and constraints, adding that he and his colleagues knew the ways and means to repay them.
Replying to queries on cabinet expansion and appointments to boards and corporations, he said that these matters would be taken up soon and he was going to Delhi on Monday evening where, if time permits, he would discuss them with the party higher-ups.