Kumaraswamy tears into Congress government for its “excuse politics”

Hassan: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy has said that it is a misconception to believe that any individual is either absolutely blessed or not.

“Anyone who thinks that there is a blessing without a blemish is wrong. There are pros and cons to every situation – big or small,” he added.   

Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent statement that despite the “blessings of the people of the state” he was not allowed to do anything substantive so far, Kumaraswamy said at a function in Bidarke village of Holenarasipur taluk on Monday, that no politician gets the full blessings of the people.

“Instead of talking loosely, leaders should focus on what decisions can and should be made within the scope of the law, for public welfare. What this government does on that front, we need to wait and watch,” he quipped.

Talking about the loss-making Kudremukh Iron ore factory in Karnataka and the “decision” to lay off employees, the Minister said that the state government should instead talk of utilizing employees and getting the best out of them. The current Congress government’s mindset shows a defeatist attitude, he claimed.  

By citing silly reasons such as “no executive power to pay salaries”, the Congress government is only showing lack of leadership and its defense mechanism of “hate politics” is on full display. 

“The State Forest Minister recently said that there was a violation of ore production norms in Kudremukh.  What right does the government have to talk of violations when it alone is in charge of administration?” he questioned.

“The state government has given in writing that it is ready to accept the suggestions given by the Centre to revive the factory.  Our government has given permission to extract ore from Devagiri.  How will business happen if the ore is not allowed to be extracted? Therefore, if ore cannot be extracted, then how can the factory run and employees be paid? This factory has reported a loss of Rs. 26 crore for that month.  Such is the Congress government’s politics,” he added.