Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's offer to build 100 houses for the Wayanad landslide survivors has not been acknowledged by the Kerala government yet. But, the Karnataka chief minister is facing backlash from the saffron party for his letter to Kerala counterpart.
Siddaramaiah, in a letter (dated December 9, 2024) to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed "concern" over not receiving any communication regarding the offer, and said, "During my visit to Wayanad following the unfortunate landslide, I had announced my government's commitment to building 100 houses for the affected families to secure them a stable environment as they have lost their home, livelihood and dear ones. The announcement was duly conveyed to the chief secretary of Kerala for due consideration. But, it is concerning that we have not received any communication from the Kerala government regarding the necessary guidelines and directions to implement the project."
The reminder (letter) has led to a backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has questioned the "selective humanitarian" concern of the chief minister towards Wayanad, earlier represented by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and currently, by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
What has triggered the saffron party is the chief minister's offer to buy the land needed for the construction of the houses. "To facilitate this initiative, I wish to convey that my government is ready to purchase the land required for constructing the houses, to provide immediate relief to those affected'," states Siddaramaiah's letter.
BJP MLC C.T. Ravi demanded to know what was the secret behind the chief minister's concern being limited to Wayanad.
"I don't say it is wrong for the chief minister to be concerned about the victims of the landslide in Wayanad, Kerala. But the CM setting his sight only on Wayanad appears to be a symbol of slavery (to the Gandhi family), as Wayanad was represented by Rahul Gandhi in the past and now by Priyanka Gandhi," said Ravi.
Ravi sought to know why the chief minister failed to see the agony of Rangaswamy, a farmer from Vaddarahalli in Belur, who ended his life by jumping into a stream, tired of the corrupt officers demanding bribes and the Yettinahole water not reaching his fields.
Mangalore City North MLA Bharat Shetty claimed the Kerala cabinet secretary had not responded to Siddaramaiah's offer as Kerala was capable of taking care of their people. "Siddaramaiah has failed to focus on building houses for the poor in Karnataka. In fact, 24 states have signed an MoU with the Centre to build houses under the PM Awaz Yojana, but not Karnataka. Siddaramaiah is trying to secure the chief minister's chair which is at stake. He is trying to please his political bosses," claimed Shetty.
