Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched a sharp critique against the Congress party's central leadership during a press interaction in Hubballi on Sunday. He framed the ongoing political discourse in Karnataka around alleged power-sharing disputes and the trading of legislators as a sign of deep disarray within the opposition camp.
"High Without Command": A Scathing Attack on Congress Leadership
Joshi did not mince words when targeting the Congress's top brass. He alleged that the Congress high command is currently "high without command," indicating a severe lack of control and direction. The minister pointed to the widespread public debate concerning internal power distribution and the serious accusations of buying and selling of MLAs within the state. He labeled this entire political development as deeply unfortunate for Karnataka.
Clarifying the Centre's Role in SIR Census and Electoral Reform
Shifting focus to the contentious Special Intensified Revision (SIR) census, Joshi firmly distanced the central government from the process. He addressed reports linking the census to suicides, stating, "No one committed suicide due to the SIR census." He suggested that any such tragic incidents might have occurred for unrelated reasons, and it was the state government's duty to investigate the causes.
Joshi emphasized the autonomous nature of the Election Commission (EC), which is conducting the SIR. "The Election Commission is an autonomous body. The decisions it takes cannot be discussed in Parliament," he asserted, clarifying that the SIR decision falls solely under the EC's purview. While stating that the opposition was creating unnecessary confusion, he expressed the central government's readiness to engage in discussions on broader electoral reforms, noting that such revisions are not unprecedented in the country's history.
Explaining Absence from Chief Minister's Delhi Meeting
When questioned about his absence from a meeting of state MPs convened by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Delhi, Joshi provided a detailed explanation. He revealed that while letters were sent to him and other Union ministers—Nirmala Sitharaman, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Shobha Karandlaje, and V. Somanna—no direct calls followed up on the invitation.
"When I checked my schedule, I had a meeting scheduled with the Prime Minister. Hence, I informed that I will not be attending the meeting," Joshi stated. He reiterated his respect for the position of the chief minister but added that had there been a personal call requesting his presence, he would have made time to attend. He concluded this point by affirming their collective commitment to the state's issues concerning land and water.
The minister's statements in Hubballi have added fresh fuel to the ongoing political tussle in Karnataka, highlighting the friction between the state's Congress government and the BJP-led central administration on multiple fronts.
