From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 30: Joining issue with JDS supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda for vowing to break his arrogance (garvabhanga), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday informed the JDS leader that he is not exhibiting arrogance or anger but the self-respect and esteem that is ingrained in all Kannadigas.
“I wish to politely inform Deve Gowdaji that I am not displaying any arrogance or anger but the desire of every Kannadiga to fight for Kannada, Kannadigas and for protecting the interests of Karnataka just as every Kannadiga does. I never hesitate to question and challenge the injustice and will always fight to protect the interests of Karnataka and Kannadigas,’’ he declared.
The Chief Minister, has in a hard hitting press release, informed Deve Gowda that, he will ‘never compromise for his personal or political gains with anybody.’
“If ever I have to face the situation of making any compromise and tolerate the injustice to Kannadigas and Karnataka,’’ he asserted, “I will retire from politics in such a situation. I will never compromise or adjust with those opposing the interests of Karnataka as you have done.’’
Siddaramaiah said he respected Deve Gowda for his stand in protecting the interests of Kannada, Karnataka, the land and water despite his political differences with him.
“The Narendra Modi regime has consistently worked against the interests of Karnataka during the last 10 years. The BJP’s opposition to the Kannada flag, imposition of Hindi, injustice to Karnataka over Cauvery and Krishna and Mahadayi river disputes as well injustice to Kannadigas, especially the youth in the recruitments to Central undertakings,’’ he said and wondered ‘if his conscience did not prick him into openly saying that Modi and Amit Shah have the power to solve the injustice’.
“Honourable Deve Gowdaji, there is no excuse for the gross injustice to Karnataka by the Modi regime during the last 10 years in the devolution of taxes. Karnataka is getting a pittance of 13 paisa for every rupee of taxes collected by it. It is not just Karnataka, the neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana as well as Maharashtra and West Bengal are shouting against the injustice by the Centre,’’ he said accusing the JDS for ‘committing a fraud against Karnataka and Kannadigas by compromising and joining the BJP despite being a regional party’.
Siddaramaiah said: “It is a shameless and abject surrender for Deve Gowdaji who toiled in the political arena for 70 years winning the love and respect of Kannadigas to openly admit that the Lok Sabha election will be fought under the name of Narendra Modi. Did you not feel that surrendering to a leader who is against Kannada, Kannadigas and Karnataka would amount to insulting the Kannadigas and hurting their pride? Did the great leader in you, who fought for Kannada, Karnataka and Kannadigas, become such a weakling?”
“A person, who had all along fought for and espoused the cause of regional aspirations by relentlessly questioning the dominance of the Centre, to meekly surrender and compromise at the fag end of his life, has no justification irrespective of the forces or individuals that forced his hand. Deve Gowdaji has brought shame to 6.5 crore Kannadigas by compromising for political gains. Deve Gowda and his JDS will definitely pay a heavy price for this gross injustice,’’ he warned.
“I don’t know what prompted you to take such a vow to teach a lesson and break the pride and arrogance (garvabhanga) of Siddaramiah. But I have always been a passionate advocate for the rights and fought for protecting the interests of Kannada, Kannadigas and Karnataka without making any compromise,’’ he added.