Ruling formation in K'taka not in good shape: PM

Bangalore, Aug 3: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today observed that the ruling formation in Karnataka 'is not in a good shape' and exhorted the Congress leaders and workers to be united and prepare for the next general elections to return to power.

Addressing the party workers here soon after arriving from New Delhi on a day's visit to the city, he said a time had come for winds of change in the state and hoped that the congress would definitely be ushered into power." I do not know what will happen in October," he remarked hinting at the scheduled change of power from Janata Dal (Secular) to Bharatiya Janata Party as agreed upon between Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa prior to the formation of the coalition set up in 2005.

He said the country had approved the differences in the ruling of the United Progressive Alliance. He recalled that the National Democratic Alliance regime was marked by instances of communal disharmony and divisive politics and said the UPA government sought to strengthen the secular base and was committed to respect for fundamental human rights and rule of law. Communal forces had been kept in abeyance now, he added saying that for Karnataka it was very important because people of the state should know that communalisation of politics was a danger to the country's prospects.

Dr Singh said by all accounts the UPA government had done 'pretty well' and India had become one of the four or five fastest developing economies in the world. The growth rate was nine per cent per year, the highest since independence, he observed. Listing out number of schemes initiated by the centre he said the National Rural Employment Programme which Guaranteed 100 day work per able bodied person per year was a revolutionary step. All rural districts of the country would be covered in next five years to reduce poverty, he assured. Similarly, 'Bharath Nirman' was another scheme being implemented by investing Rs 1.75,000 lakh crores to provide rural connectivity to reduce differences between the rural and urban people.

He had a word of praise for Karnataka and said it was the 'jewel' of the country. In fact Karnataka was a 'mirror image' of research and development, he felt.

He referred to a memorandum submitted by state Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge in which he had sought relief from the centre to face flood situation and assured that the state would get its due share " We want Karnataka to be number one forward looking state,' he added assuring that centre would be work shoulder to shoulder to safeguard the interests of the state.

Dr Singh recalled the party's contribution to the growth of Karnataka and said the people of the state were recognising the difference of Congress and other parties. " I have no doubt in the next elections people would repose faith again on the Congress. But we can never be complacent," he noted. He exhorted the party leaders to visit grassroot level workers and spread the message of the party to make the people realise about the miss by not bringing the party in power in the last elections.

Mr Kharge, presenting a memorandum, pointed out that heavy rain in various districts had resulted in a sea like situation and 487 deaths were reported, 2786 cattle lost, 46,647 houses were damaged, and crop damage was in 25,561 hectares of land since April 2007.

He observed that due to inexperience and internal difference, the state government had failed to meet the situation and to provide effective relief measures to the sufferers. He also urged the Prime Minister to grant liberal financial assistance to meet the situation.

He also pointed out the 'lack of seriousness' in implementing the 'Vidarbha Package' for farmers following large scale suicide and charged the state government with negligence and blaming the centre.

He also brought to the notice of the Prime Minister about the state government's move to promote 'forcible and unnecessary land acquisition' around Bangalore city by 'misusing' the well intentioned and most utilitarian constructive programme like Special Economic Zones.

He said the D M Nanjundappa Committee report had identified 114 taluks out of 176 as backward which required special schemes to develop. He urged the centre to bring these taluks under the purview of Article 371 of the Constitution and provide special economic packages. He also urged the Prime Minister to withdraw the abeyance imposed on Kalasa Banduri Nala project aimed at providing drinking water to Hubli-Dharwad and other cities in North Karnataka.

Party in charge of Karnataka M M Jacob, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan, Union Ministers including M V Rajasekharan and several Congress Working Committee members were also present.

UNI