BJP Govt not interested in ryots' welfare: Cong

Bangalore, Jun 3 (UNI) CLP Leader in Karnataka Mallikarjuna Kharge today accused the BJP of not taking any interest in coming to the rescue of farmers who were badly hit by a shortage of seeds and chemical fertilisers.

Speaking to reporters here, he said farmers had started agitation in many districts to protest hoarding which resulted in a shortage of seeds and fertilisers.

Police had beaten up many farmers standing in serpentine queues to get a bag of fertilisers while the government was sitting unperturbed, he alleged.

''Mr Yeddyurappa took the oath as Chief Minister in the name of the farmer. This is nothing but shedding crocodile tears as the BJP Government is not bothered about the farming class.

''He is spending all his time to cool down the tempers of dissidents and is not bothered about the farmers,'' he charged.

Mr Kharge welcomed the Chief Minister's statement in New Delhi that his government would probe corruption cases during the rule of previous governments.

''We welcome the decision. But where will he begin? From 1952 or 1972 or 1983? Let us see. But the Chief Minister should act quickly and maintain transparency in this regard,'' he said.

The Congress leader said the party would discuss about fielding its candidate for the post of Speaker.

''We will discuss with our central leaders, in the CLP and then talk to other parties on fielding our candidate and then take a suitably decision,'' he said.

He criticised the BJP's move to appoint its own partyman as pro-tem Speaker ignoring precedents. It should have given preference to the seniormost member in the House according to convention , he added.

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