HDK hints at early Assembly polls

NT Correspondent

Former CM and senior Janata Dal(Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy raised eyebrows on Sunday hinting at early Assembly polls in the State if the populist programmes announced by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in Budget 2022- 23 are any indication.

Former CM and senior Janata Dal(Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy raised eyebrows on Sunday hinting at early Assembly polls in the State if the populist programmes announced by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in Budget 2022- 23 are any indication.

Kumaraswamy also took a jibe at the CM saying Bommai considers himself an irrigation expert and is trying to ‘cheat’ people on three major irrigation projects. The budget has no solution to the growing unemployment problem, he said.

The former CM asserted that the JD(S) was not close to any party, either the Congress or BJP. These parties would cosy up to the JD(S) saying they were right of centre or left of centre. ‘We have had the experience of both parties. We don’t want left or right and have decided to be in the centre,” Kumaraswamy quipped.

On the ongoing rescue of Indians stuck in war-torn Ukraine, the former CM said students go to that country to study medicine and other courses due to lack of opportunities in India. Poor and meritorious students are denied education and if arrangements are made for the availability of seats in these courses at affordable fees, Indian students would avoid going abroad for studies. The NEET has ruined the educational system in the country, he remarked adding that the government of India must take all necessary steps to bring back stranded Indians from Ukraine.

The JD(S) leader claimed that the Indian government had information about a possible war between Russia and Ukraine but still failed to bring back Indians home in advance.

The government must make alternative arrangements to complete the incomplete medical courses of the students here and make sure they are able to complete the courses, he added.