As Karnataka reels under floods, Opposition says absence of Cabinet hampering relief works

A fortnight has passed since the BJP seized the power in Karnataka and BS Yediyurappa became the chief minister but the state is still waiting for governance in the absence of council of ministers, let alone the "good governance". Now the state is reeling under severe floods, the Opposition says relief works have been hampered in the absence of a full-fledged government with dedicated ministers.

So far, 31 people have been killed and over 3 lakh rendered homeless due to the devastating floods in Karnataka. According to an official assessment, 21,431 houses and crops in 4.16 lakh hectares had been damaged in the deluge, pegging the total losses to 6,000 crores.

While Yediyurappa confronted the criticism over his failure to form a Cabinet, saying that every MLA is a minister, former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has ridiculed his statement. "Its an irresponsible statement that MLAs are working like ministers as they can't take on the spot decisions."

Siddaramaiah feels if there were district in-charge ministers, revenue minister, finance minister, agriculture minister, cooperation minister and various other ministers, it would have been convenient for the people of the state.  "I dont know how a single man can handle so much. It is humanly impossible," he added.

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Leaders in the Opposition parties are questioning the BJP’s “lacklustre approach” towards providing governance comparing the saffron party’s hustle attitude during the recent political crisis in the state. Yediyurappa and his MLAs had sat on an overnight protest in the Assembly when the Kumaraswamy government delayed the trust vote.

"The dedication he had shown to topple the coalition government of Congress and the JD(S) is missing with respect to forming the government," the former chief minister said taking a dig.

Before swearing-in as chief minister, Yediyurappa had said that the decision on members to be inducted into the ministry will be taken after through discussions with BJP president Amit Shah. However, even after more than two weeks, the BJP is yet to reach on a decision to form the Cabinet and given the present situation of the state, a council of ministers is the need of the hour in Karnataka.