Bangalore : Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday sharply criticized the Congress government in Karnataka for its delay in holding local body elections across the state. Kumaraswamy's comments came in response to the Karnataka government's recent human chain event organized on Sunday to celebrate 'International Day of Democracy.'
Taking to social media, Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of prioritizing "propaganda over actual governance." He argued that the government's emphasis on symbolic gestures like the human chain did not address the pressing issue of local body elections.
"In the guise of promoting human welfare, you formed a human chain, yet the @INCKarnataka government shows no real commitment to democracy. If they truly valued democratic principles, they would have already conducted elections for local bodies, including the district and taluk panchayats and the BBMP. Why are these fundamental pillars of democracy being neglected?" Kumaraswamy wrote on X.
He highlighted that the Siddaramaiah administration has been in power for over a year and four months without conducting local body elections. "Your (Siddaramaiah's) democracy and people-oriented approach appear only in advertisements. Your actions seem more focused on propaganda rather than genuine governance," Kumaraswamy added.
Kumaraswamy also questioned whether the suppression of dissent and the misuse of taxpayer money could be justified as promoting democracy. "Is suppressing dissenting voices a betrayal of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's principles? Can democracy be preserved through a human chain? Is the misuse of taxpayers' money a way to embellish democracy? Announce the local body elections first. Strengthen the true democratic chain," he asserted.
On Sunday, Karnataka marked 'International Day of Democracy' with a 2,500-km-long human chain, symbolizing equality, unity, fraternity, and participative governance. During the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the gathering at the Grand Steps of Vidhana Soudha, emphasizing the importance of upholding pluralism as enshrined in the Constitution. He referenced Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s speech from November 25, 1949, highlighting that true political freedom can only be meaningful when accompanied by economic and social democracy. Siddaramaiah noted that political freedom would lack real significance as long as inequality persists in India.
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