The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Bengaluru): H D Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) leader, on Sunday criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by comparing him to the infamous Roman Emperor Nero, accusing him of neglecting the state’s severe drought situation. Instead, Siddaramaiah is accused of focusing on organizing political conventions at the expense of public funds, akin to “campaign fairs,” mocking the dire straits faced by the populace.
Kumaraswamy highlighted the gravity of the drought, labeling it as the worst in the state’s history, with acute water shortages exacerbating the plight of both humans and cattle alike. Despite these hardships, he pointed out that the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government continues to squander millions from the state treasury to fund its “guarantee conventions,” a move Kumaraswamy deems disgraceful.
Drawing a parallel to the historical anecdote of Nero, who infamously played the violin while Rome burned, Kumaraswamy chastised Siddaramaiah for his apparent indifference to the suffering of the people, focusing solely on securing electoral victory. He warned that the electorate would hold the Congress party accountable for their government’s misplaced priorities amidst a crisis.
The Congress party’s ongoing “Guarantee Samaveshas” aim to drum up support for their five key electoral promises ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with one such event currently underway in Mandya. Kumaraswamy questioned the rationale behind what he termed “Siddanomics,” criticizing the allocation of substantial funds for these political events while allegedly neglecting financial assistance to drought-stricken farmers.
He further challenged the government to justify the expenditure on these conventions and related promotional activities, suggesting the release of a White Paper to transparently disclose the amounts spent. Kumaraswamy’s remarks underline a call for accountability and prioritization of the state’s urgent needs over political maneuvering.