SHIMOGA: The Shimoga MP and State President of the Samajwadi Party, S. Bangarappa, said here on Monday that the days of the coalition Government in the State are numbered and it will collapse sooner than expected.

Addressing a press conference, he said his party will not do anything to ensure the collapse of either the United Progressive Alliance or the Government in the State. He said: "They will fall under the weight of their non-performance. The role of our party is to be a constructive Opposition."

He said the emerging political developments in the State and the differences between the former Prime Minister and President of the Janata Dal (Secular), H.D. Deve Gowda, and the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, will prove advantageous for his party. "The bicycle (which is the party symbol of the Samajawadi Party) keeps on rolling, negotiating the ups and downs on all types of roads," he said.

Bangarappa said there is no other way than to go in for mid-term Assembly elections in the State, as there is no alternative to the coalition Government. He replied in the negative when asked whether attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party to form an alternative Government with the help of the Janata Dal (S) will succeed.

He said his party will not seek an alliance with any party and will contest the forthcoming taluk panchayat and zilla panchayat elections on its own. He ruled out the possibility of seeking an alliance with the Janata Dal (S), as its image has suffered after being a partner with the Congress in the Government.

Mr. Bangarappa said his party is prepared to face the coming elections, as it has been able to establish units in all the 27 districts in the State.

AHIND meet

On the recently concluded convention on minorities, backward classes and Dalits in Hubli, he said that as it was the result of the internal matter between Deve Gowda and Siddaramaiah they were answerable to the people to explain as to why it was held. "People have every right to ask why was it held at all," he added.

Relief for rain-affected areas

Mr. Bangarappa urged the Government to release funds to the district administration so that relief works in places affected by flash floods can be taken up.

He said that during his two-day tour in the rain-affected areas in Sorab, Sagar and Shikaripur taluks last week, he saw the damage caused to crops and property.

He appreciated the initiative taken by local people in plugging a breach in the Ambligola Reservoir temporarily, by placing sand bags. He asked the district administration to take up the repair after the rains ceased.

He said though the cost of the damage is still being assessed by the district administration, the rough estimate has been put at around Rs.2 crores.

Mr. Bangarappa also urged the Government to take up the Tunga Lift Irrigation and the Ubrani Lift Irrigation projects. He said he had sanctioned the implementation of the project when he was Chief Minister, however, it has been delayed for want of clearance from the Centre, to acquire forestland.

When his attention was drawn to the controversy over the renewed demand for the implementation of the Upper Bhadra Project, which is aimed at irrigating the parched lands of Chitradurga and Tumkur districts, Mr. Bangarappa said no project should be taken up if it is not feasible legally, technically and financially. He pointed out that the Bhadra Reservoir has filled up to its maximum level only four times since its was built.

He said the Minister for Railways, Laloo Prasad Yadav, has promised him, after discussions with the Chairman of the Railway Board and the Secretary to the Railway Department, that the gauge conversion between Shimoga and Talaguppa will proceed as planned.

He expected that the gauge conversion should be complete in a year, if adequate funds are released.

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