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Reddy also told News18 that the Congress high command should crack down on leaders who speak to the media about the perceived power tussle in the party’s state unit
The state transport minister also asserted that the Congress government was stable and would retain power in the next assembly elections. File pic: Facebook/@ramalingareddyofficial
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah will complete a full five-year term on the post, his cabinet colleague Ramalinga Reddy told News18 in an exclusive interview on Saturday. The state transport minister also asserted that the Congress government was stable and would retain power in the next assembly elections.
Reddy advocated that the Congress high command should crack down on leaders who speak to the media about the perceived power tussle in the party’s state unit.
Edited excerpts:
What is the status of the bike taxi issue? Commuters are confused. Will the ban on bike taxis be lifted?
The matter is in court. I won’t comment.
Priyank Kharge mentioned that without legislation, bike taxi operators can be allowed to function in a sandbox manner.
That is his personal opinion. Take, for example, the Kantharaju report (the previous caste census)—there were many differences of opinion among ministers.
On the ban on bike taxi aggregators, people are bringing out their own vehicles, which is causing more stress on the roads and increasing traffic congestion.
Bengaluru’s population is 1.4 crore. About 43 lakh people travel by our buses, around 8 lakh use the Metro, another 4 lakh use taxis, and 3 lakh use autos. We have a well-connected bus network everywhere. If you had used our bus today, you wouldn’t have been late.
Shakti was the first guarantee launched. But today, it is putting pressure on the state exchequer, and there are also reports of unpaid salaries.
We started Shakti in June, and so far, 500 crore commuters have used the service since its launch in June 2023. The government’s expenditure is around Rs 12,000 crore. We are paying salaries on the first of every month and have also recruited 10,000 new employees.
Transport corporations have incurred losses, and there have been delays in paying salaries.
We are paying salaries regularly. During the BJP government, they used to pay salaries once in two months. They didn’t recruit a single employee. We have recruited 10,000 people, brought in 5,000 new buses, and more are expected to join the fleet. The BJP had cancelled 3,800 buses. It is the Congress that resumed the process. Compared to other corporations, we are doing 100% better. Before Shakti, the number of daily travellers was 80 to 85 lakh. Now it has reached 1.05 crore.
Maharashtra has allowed e-bike taxis. Is your objection to the concept of bike taxis itself?
You cannot compare with other states. Karnataka has 25,000 buses, and Maharashtra has 26,000. Rajasthan, UP, and other states don’t even have 10,000 buses. The matter is in court—I won’t comment.
Is the auto union pushing for this?
I won’t comment.
Will there be a change in the CM by December?
CM Siddaramaiah visited Delhi two or three days ago. After his visit, he expressed that he will continue for five years. I will not make any further comments.
As a minister, do you have confidence that Siddaramaiah will complete five years as CM?
Our Congress government will complete five years, and another five years as well. When the CM has expressed that he will continue for five years, it’s like a message from Delhi, I believe (from the high command).
What about the morale of the party? The constant tussle is affecting the image of the government.
Be it leaders or MLAs, they should not be speaking to the media about CM change, KPCC chief change, or having three deputy CMs. They should not speak like this—it will affect the party in future elections.
What about leaders who continue to speak out?
The high command should take strict action against them. Both the CM and deputy CM should ask everyone to refrain from speaking to the media. If they have anything to say, let them say it within four walls. In the interest of the party and the government, what they are doing is wrong.
There are reports that there is no money in the government. Funds for the guarantees are being released only once in two or three months.
Every week, the CM and deputy CM visit districts and inaugurate various projects. If there were no money, how would that be possible? We have sufficient funds. BJP and JD(S) are misleading the public. When Bommai left office, the state’s debt was more than Rs 1 lakh crore. The BJP took over Rs 2.4 lakh crore in loans from banks. The current situation is due to the BJP’s mismanagement.
Is the government stable?
100 per cent stable. We will complete five years and return in the next elections too.
Under whose leadership?
Under the leadership of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Mallikarjun Kharge is there, and so are Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
As Muzrai Minister as well, the Temple Bill proposes that 10 per cent of earnings from temples earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore be given to the government. It is awaiting Presidential assent.
This is in the interest of C-grade temples, temple priests, and their families. There are about 40,000 priests. The bill is currently with the President. Let’s see what happens.
It is being said that this is also being done to fund the guarantee schemes.
We cannot transfer even one rupee from one temple to another. The BJP is misleading the public through social media.
Will the full five-year term be completed under chief minister Siddaramaiah?
100 per cent.
Under his leadership?
Yes.
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t…Read More
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t… Read More
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