BANGALORE: Leader of Opposition N. Dharam Singh challenged Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday to seek a mandate from the people for the coalition of the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Initiating the debate on the budget proposals, Mr. Singh asked Mr. Kumaraswamy what made him join hands with Mr. Yediyurappa whose party "planned to promote its Hindutva agenda". Referring to his terms as a member of the House and those of M. Mallikarjun Kharge, he told the Chief Minister that political credibility cannot be achieved in a day. "You had many more years to achieve the position of Chief Minister and there was no need for you to join hands with communal elements," he added.

He said he has been elected to the Lower House even though his constituency, Jewargi, was dominated by Lingayats. The hidden agenda of the BJP, he said, can be seen in the budgetary allocation for preserving Indian breeds of cattle and renovation of Hindu temples when many important programmes are languishing for want of funds.

Disputing Mr. Yediyurappa's claim that he has helped farmers by offering loans at four per cent interest compared with six per cent by the previous government, Mr. Singh said the interest rate in commercial banks was nine per cent during his tenure, and it has now come down to seven per cent.

He criticised Mr. Yediyurappa for not thanking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for approving the ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Commission) project in Mangalore.

He said the Centre is providing nearly 50 per cent of the funds required for development of backward taluks.

Mr. Dharam Singh urged the Government to clarify its stand on the Metro Rail project, amendment to Article 371 for development of Hyderabad Karnataka region, Circuit Benches of the High Court in northern Karnataka and efforts to secure classical language status for Kannada.

He criticised Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti over steps for the development of Sanskrit and filling of vacancies of Sanskrit teachers in high schools, and said development of Kannada is being ignored.

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