Congress lacks the strength to convince T.N., while I can get PM's nod for Mekedatu project in five minutes: HDK
There has been a war of words between Mr. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with the latter challenging the former to help get clearances for the project from the Centre rather than continually criticise the Karnataka government.
On Friday, speaking in Mandya, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that only the family of H.D. Deve Gowda could make the long-pending project a reality.
'I stand by my word'
Speaking to reporters before participating in the DISHA committee meeting in Mysuru on Saturday, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, 'If the Congress government has any strength, let them get their ally in Tamil Nadu to agree to the Mekedatu project. I can get the Prime Minister's approval for this project within five minutes. I still stand by what I said during the election campaign.'
Mr. Kumaraswamy had announced, ahead of Lok Sabha polls, that he would retire from politics if he failed to implement the Mekedatu project in the next five years, if elected to power.
The Union Minister said in Mysuru that the Congress came to power through a padayatra in Mekedatu's name but had simply wasted two and a half years. 'How can the project be done if they just place the responsibility on me?' he asked.
Lashing out at the Siddaramaiah-led government, the Union Minister said, 'The Congress is under pressure from its ally. It neither has the strength to convince the Tamil Nadu government nor the courage to oppose or defy the DMK. Only if it boldly defies Tamil Nadu government will the Mekedatu project become a reality'.
'Go beyond petty politics'
Meanwhile, speaking in Bengaluru, Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil urged Mr. Kumaraswamy not to indulge in 'petty politics' over the Mekedatu issue, and instead, as a Union Minister, work constructively to help Karnataka get all the permissions for the project.
'Mr. Kumaraswamy is in the Union Cabinet and has an opportunity to help our State. Let him focus on it. Petty politics will only do harm to the larger interests of the State,' he said.
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