The Hindu : Cabinet to discuss political fallout of Centre's decision

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Cabinet to discuss political fallout of Centre's decision

By Our Special Correspondent

JEWARGI, JAN. 28. The crucial meeting of the State Cabinet on Friday will decide whether to dissolve the Legislative Assembly and recommend advancement of elections to coincide with the Lok Sabha polls. A decision whether to prepare a full-fledged Budget for 2004-05 or go in for a vote-of-account will also be taken.

Making the announcement to presspersons after inaugurating a Fire Force station on the outskirts of Jewargi town, the Public Works Minister, N. Dharam Singh, said that the Cabinet would take stock of the political situation created by the Union Government's recommendation to dissolve the Lok Sabha on February 6, and take a final decision on going in for polls to the Assembly along with the Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier, Mr. Singh, who laid the foundation stone for a drinking water treatment plant at Kattisangavi on the banks of the Bheema near Jewargi town, which is to be built at a cost of Rs. 15 lakh, termed the decision of the Union Government to advance the election as "unethical'', and said a general election was being forced on the people before the completion of the term of the Lok Sabha.

The decision to dissolve the Lok Sabha was taken although the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, had expressed himself against advancing the elections, Mr. Singh said.

Hardliners in the Bharatiya Janata Party forced Mr. Vajpayee to accept their demand for early elections as they felt the prospects of the party were bright in view of its good showing in the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, according to Mr. Singh.

He said Assembly elections were being forced on the people of Karnataka, which was facing drought, because of the Centre's decision to hold early elections to the Lok Sabha. He alleged that the BJP-led Government of the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre was playing politics even on issues such as assistance to tackle drought, and had denied funds and foodgrains to the State.

Mr. Singh said Mr. Vajpayee was in favour of releasing funds and grain sought by the Karnataka Government, but hardliners at the Centre and BJP leaders in the State allegedly opposed this.

However, the State Government would provide relief by utilising all resources, he added.

He said the Congress was ready to face elections and it would go before the people with confidence and seek votes based on its performance.

The former President of the Gulbarga Zilla Panchayat, Allamprabhu Patil, was present.

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