The easy passage of confidence motion moved by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in the Legislative Assembly on Monday was preceded by a debate on the allegation that administration had “collapsed” in the last 14 months of the coalition government’s rule.
Taking exception to the Chief Minister’s charge during an hour-long debate on the motion, Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah said during the coalition regime efforts were made to implement the Common Minimum Programme.
‘No mandate’
The Congress leader said the Bharatiya Janata Party has no mandate to form the government and termed it as “unconstitutional and unethical.” Unfortunately, Mr. Yediyurappa has become the Chief Minister four times without a mandate, he said. “This time, he has become the Chief Minister with the support of dissidents,” he added. “We desire that your government completes rest of the term. But there is no guarantee. You have to depend on dissidents,” he said and expressed doubts about its longevity.
Mr. Siddaramaiah appreciated some of the programmes implemented by the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government and said he too had announced ₹10,000 incentive to dryland farmers cultivating two hectares in his last budget.
Mr. Kumaraswamy took strong exception to Mr. Yediyurappa’s allegation that the administrative machinery had collapsed and said it was “baseless” and did not behove someone occupying the post of Chief Minister.