HUBBALLI: Sticking to his stand on a separate flag for Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said a nine-member committee set up by the government just aimed at exploring options based on “requests” from pro-Kannada activists.Speaking to Express on his way to Dharwad by a bus to mark the Bus Day here on Thursday, the CM said opposition parties are creating “unnecessary controversy”over the matter as they have no other issues to point fingers at his government.
He said: “The Constitution does not restrict the states from having separate flags. We are not
undermining the supremacy of the national flag and the integrity of the nation. Once the committee submits its report considering all the legal aspects, an “apolitical decision” will be taken in the larger interest of Karnataka.”
Reiterating that the state government will go for cloud seeding, Siddaramaiah said: “I am happy that the state is receiving rain for last few days and I hope it will continue. I pray to God to bless us with plenty of rain. Cloud seeding will be done in places which fail to get rain as expected.”
‘Shah-Modi factor won’t work’
Flatly ruling out early elections to the state assembly, Siddaramaiah said the polls will be held as per schedule. “I don’t see any compelling reason for going for an early polls. This is false propaganda by the opposition. We are doing good work and the people of the state will give us another chance to rule. The Modi-Shah factor will not work in Karnataka,” the CM said.
‘Deeply pained by Goa’s act’
On Mahadayi river water dispute, Siddaramaiah said: “The state government has done whatever possible. But, the Goa government is reluctant to have a dialogue on the issue. I wrote a letter to Goa Chief Minister
Manohar Parikkar, but instead of Parikkar, his minister has sent a reply. I am deeply pained by this act of the Goa government. Intervention of the Prime Minister is the last option for an out-of-the-tribunal settlement of the row,” he added.
CM speaks to agitating farmer
Hubballi: The Chief Minister spoke to farmer leader Veersh Sobaradmath, who is on fast-unto-death agitation since Sunday demanding early implementation of Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project, over the phone. He requested Sobaradmath to withdraw his hunger strike and explained the efforts being made by him (CM) to solve the issue. He promised Sobaradmath that Minister Vinay Kulkarni will visit him. Then the CM told Kulkarni: “Ask Sobaradmath to stage a protest in front of the Parliament house in New Delhi instead of Naragund as it may yield result.”