Will prove I’m CM of North Karnataka too: H D Kumaraswamy

Hubballi, Aug 13: In an effort to reaffirm his commitment towards the region’s development, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday said in the coming days he will prove that he is also the CM of North Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Sunday, the CM said: “My way of functioning and dealing with NK issues will change in the coming days. It’ll show that I’m also the CM of North Karnataka, and not just the rest of Karnataka. While I will be pulled up for it, I will not pay attention and continue to work for the NK region.”

Kumaraswamy said he was not seeking any certificate from opposition parties, which are trying to label him as an anti-North Karnataka CM, and that he was only working for a certificate from the people of the region. “I am firm and committed towards North Karnataka’s development. Soon, all major offices will be shifted to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi to develop this region,” he said.

Kumaraswamy said there is a plan to hold a meeting with farmers and people in each district every month from the first week of September.

“I will start this fresh policy from the 13 NK districts and will stay at the gram panchayat headquarters or hobli-level accommodations to meet farmers, help and educate them about the Israeli farming method, zerobudget farming and other ways to make farming profitable,” he pointed out.

Kumaraswamy said in order to create employment opportunities in NK, he’d hold meetings with industrialists of the region and chalk out plans on what needs to be done to prevent people from these districts from migrating to other cities.

“I have continued all the proposals announced by former CM Siddaramaiah in his budget, specifically those for NK districts, and have additionally kept aside Rs 10,000 crore for the region in my budget,” he said.

CM justifies shifting of office to Hassan

Kumaraswamy said he had discussed the issue of his brother and PWD minister HD Revanna shifting the Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project (KSHIP) to Hassan and that the reasons for doing so were justified. “The PWD staff of KSHIP had no work and were simply drawing salaries. Hence, the project was shifted to Hassan where there is work,” the CM said.

HDK hints at political tinge to aero show row

The CM hinted that talks on shifting the biennial aero show from Bengaluru to Lucknow could be fuelled by political reasons. “I do not know the exact reason behind the move to shift the show to Lucknow. But may be it is to help some BJP leaders,” he said.

Kumaraswamy said he had spoken about the issue with defence minister and Karnataka MP Nirmala Sitharaman, asking her to retain the aero show in Bengaluru as it has the ideal conditions for it.

Former CM Siddaramaiah tweeted that the defence minister, who is an elected representative from Karnataka, needs to safeguard the state’s interests before taking decisions.

CM wishes Siddaramaiah

Kumaraswamy on Sunday wished his ‘foe-turnedfriend’ Siddaramaiah on his 70th birthday. In his birthday wish, Kumaraswamy said: “My hearty birthday wishes to our beloved Siddaramaiah, former chief minister and chairman, coordination committee of the coalition government. During his tenure he championed the cause of social justice and I seek his cooperation, guidance and support for our coalition government. May god bestow him with good health and long life.”