The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Green outside, saffron inside’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Green outside, saffron inside’

Special Correspondent

Eshwarappa’s remark in Assembly makes Opposition see red

BANGALORE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who was draped in a green shawl during the swearing-in ceremony, was targeted by the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Monday on the fertilizer shortage.

Leader of the Opposition M. Mallikarjun Kharge, who blamed the Government for its failure to tackle the crisis, said the Chief Minister had no time to look into farmers’ problems. Mr. Yeddyurappa took the oath of office in the name of farmers and God. He had been visiting temples. “The Chief Minister is busy with transferring officials,” Mr. Kharge said.

Minister for Energy K.S. Eshwarappa defended the Chief Minister’s decision to wear the green shawl and said it demonstrated the BJP Government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers. “The Chief Minister was wearing a saffron shawl in his heart and a green shawl over his shoulders,” he said.

Irked with Mr. Eshwarappa’s remarks, the Opposition members stood up and said the Government had no commitment at all to make farmers smile. It was only interested in spreading its saffron base.

The former Minister D.K. Shivakumar (Congress) too joined the debate and said the Government was not concerned about farmers’ problems.

Farmers were not seeking salary, promotion or retirement benefits from the Government. What was preventing the Government from solving their problems, he asked.

The Chief Minister, who shook hands with Opposition party leaders before the session began, remained silent.

Earlier, Mr. Kharge and the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy repeatedly requested Speaker Jagadish Shettar to allow them to move an adjournment motion on the fertilizer crisis. But the Speaker rejected their demand stating that adjournment motions were not allowed during the budget session or during the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the joint session of the legislature.

Later, the Speaker allowed a debate under Rule 69.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka