Opposition set to corner Congress govt in legislature

The session also comes at a time when CM Siddaramaiah himself is facing the heat within his own party with complaints over his style of functioning

Opposition is expected to corner the Congress government in the state during the legislature session beginning tomorrow on a host of issues, including the Arkavathi Layout land de-notification, on which they have targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleging irregularities.

The session also comes at a time when the Chief Minister himself is facing the heat within his own party with complaints over his style of functioning and a section of legislators up in arms against him on the issue. Trouble is also emerging from several ministerial aspirants who have been waiting for long to fulfill their ambition.

Many of them have reportedly even conveyed their displeasure to senior Congress leader and in charge of party affairs in Karnataka Digvijay Singh, who was in the city.

The 10-day session will begin with Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala’s maiden address to both the Houses of the State legislature. Interestingly, Vala will be the first Governor to deliver his address in Hindi, which has drawn criticism from pro-Kannada organisations.

Both BJP and JDS, which have been targeting the government and Chief Minister constantly on the issue of Arkavathi Layout land de-notification, are expected to intensify their attack during the session, seeking to embarrass Siddaramaiah.

Although Karnataka Government has constituted a commission of inquiry headed by former High Court Judge H S Kempanna, BJP, which is the principal opposition party, has been insisting on a CBI probe into alleged corruption pertaining to de-notification of 541 acres in Arkavati Layout by the Bangalore Development Authority.

JDS has also joined the chorus in seeking CBI probe on the issue, alleging government was tampering with the documents and files relating to the case.

Congress too on its part is prepared to hit back at the opposition and defend Siddaramaiah. Digvijay Singh had recently praised Siddaramaiah for setting up a judicial commission to look into the de-notification issue.

Opposition is also expected to target the government on issues of payment of dues to sugarcane farmers and appointments to Karnataka Public Service Commission. They are also likely to seek answers on the issue of power and drinking water supply and alleged irregularities in few of the government schemes.

Government is also likely to face embarrassment on the issue of resignation of Excise Minister Satish Jarkiholi. Jarkiholi, who had repeatedly made known his unhappiness over his portfolio, on January 27 announced that he has resigned from the post, citing “personal reasons”, which he subsequently withdrew three days later after lot of persuasion by Chief Minister and other ministers.