<p>He was addressing the 12th annual mass marriage programme organised as part of the Suttur Jathra Mahothsava at Suttur here on Monday. The Government had promised provide a new lease of life to about 100 lakes in the region. It would benefit about 1.22 lakh acres of irrigated land in both the districts. The work would be put on fast track in coming days, he said. <br /><br />The CM hinted at an agriculture-friendly and irrigation-oriented budget when he presents the finance bill in the third week of February this year. The budget would also focus on rural development and education. The state of Karnataka will aim at being a model state for the rest of country, he added. <br /><br />Lamenting the opposition’s negative stance, Yeddyurappa said he went through an ‘Agnipariksha’ - acid test in the past two and half years because of the harassment and evil designs of his political opponents. The Congress and JD(S) have become a threat to development and progress in the state and created confusion among the people criticising the government with baseless allegations. The Governor’s actions and words do not befit to the stature of the office he occupies. His actions should not bring dishonour to Rajbhavan, he said. <br /><br />Yeddyurappa added he had been seeking blessings of the Gods to give him strength to face the continuous torture he was facing at the hands of opposition. “The last two and half years has taught me a big lesson which I could not have received in any University. But, I am firm that I am empowered to defeat the evil forces of the opposition in believing in the words of our party leader and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Na Dainyam.. Na Palayanam.. - no fear, no running away,” he said. <br /><br />False accusations<br /><br />“The opposition has repeatedly made false accusations to harass me to an extent where I quit politics. I am working towards making such tricks boomerang and engulf the opposition leaders with the support of the people. I will continue in my office till the electorate has confidence in me,” he quipped. <br /><br />Speaking on the occasion, Seer of Siddaganga Mutt Shivakumara said there was a need to cleanse the society of all evils to bring happiness, joy and peace among the people through spirituality. <br /><br />“People in high positions and holding esteemed offices should stop uttering words that do not befit their chairs,” he said in referring in a broadside to current political developments. <br /><br />Earlier, speaking to reporters on his arrival at Suttur, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa slammed the opposition parties and said they haven’t learnt a lesson from repeated defeats in past elections, but continued with their tactics to bring disrepute to the Government and block progress of State. <br /><br />To a query on Siddaramaiah’s statement that Yeddyurappa would step down before the presentation of budget, he ridiculed: “Siddaramaiah is a disciple of Devegowda. I don’t know what plans he is making in his mind, to add to the troubles of the Government.” He refused to comment on the statements of BJP national leaders Arun Jaitley and Shathrugan Sinha and said he would discuss those matters in party forum and not in public. <br /><br />Suttur mutt seer Shivarathri Deshikendra, Transport Minister R Ashoka, Minister for Housing V Somanna, MLC Prof K R Mallikarjunappa, Minister for Forest C H Vijayshankar, Minister for Khadi, Tamilnadu K Ramachandran and others were present. <br /></p>
<p>He was addressing the 12th annual mass marriage programme organised as part of the Suttur Jathra Mahothsava at Suttur here on Monday. The Government had promised provide a new lease of life to about 100 lakes in the region. It would benefit about 1.22 lakh acres of irrigated land in both the districts. The work would be put on fast track in coming days, he said. <br /><br />The CM hinted at an agriculture-friendly and irrigation-oriented budget when he presents the finance bill in the third week of February this year. The budget would also focus on rural development and education. The state of Karnataka will aim at being a model state for the rest of country, he added. <br /><br />Lamenting the opposition’s negative stance, Yeddyurappa said he went through an ‘Agnipariksha’ - acid test in the past two and half years because of the harassment and evil designs of his political opponents. The Congress and JD(S) have become a threat to development and progress in the state and created confusion among the people criticising the government with baseless allegations. The Governor’s actions and words do not befit to the stature of the office he occupies. His actions should not bring dishonour to Rajbhavan, he said. <br /><br />Yeddyurappa added he had been seeking blessings of the Gods to give him strength to face the continuous torture he was facing at the hands of opposition. “The last two and half years has taught me a big lesson which I could not have received in any University. But, I am firm that I am empowered to defeat the evil forces of the opposition in believing in the words of our party leader and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Na Dainyam.. Na Palayanam.. - no fear, no running away,” he said. <br /><br />False accusations<br /><br />“The opposition has repeatedly made false accusations to harass me to an extent where I quit politics. I am working towards making such tricks boomerang and engulf the opposition leaders with the support of the people. I will continue in my office till the electorate has confidence in me,” he quipped. <br /><br />Speaking on the occasion, Seer of Siddaganga Mutt Shivakumara said there was a need to cleanse the society of all evils to bring happiness, joy and peace among the people through spirituality. <br /><br />“People in high positions and holding esteemed offices should stop uttering words that do not befit their chairs,” he said in referring in a broadside to current political developments. <br /><br />Earlier, speaking to reporters on his arrival at Suttur, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa slammed the opposition parties and said they haven’t learnt a lesson from repeated defeats in past elections, but continued with their tactics to bring disrepute to the Government and block progress of State. <br /><br />To a query on Siddaramaiah’s statement that Yeddyurappa would step down before the presentation of budget, he ridiculed: “Siddaramaiah is a disciple of Devegowda. I don’t know what plans he is making in his mind, to add to the troubles of the Government.” He refused to comment on the statements of BJP national leaders Arun Jaitley and Shathrugan Sinha and said he would discuss those matters in party forum and not in public. <br /><br />Suttur mutt seer Shivarathri Deshikendra, Transport Minister R Ashoka, Minister for Housing V Somanna, MLC Prof K R Mallikarjunappa, Minister for Forest C H Vijayshankar, Minister for Khadi, Tamilnadu K Ramachandran and others were present. <br /></p>
