BJP terms session ‘ploy to divert attention’ from leadership tussle

Describing the Cabinet’s decision to convene a special legislature session to discuss the VB-G RAM G Act as one with “mala fide intention” that will serve no public good, the Opposition BJP on Wednesday alleged that it was being convened only to divert public attention from the ongoing leadership tussle in the government.

Addressing a press conference here, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok argued that the State government should approach the Centre if it had any issues with the VB-G RAM G Act. Calling a session to merely launch a tirade at the Centre would result in waste of tax payers’ money, he said.

Defending the new Act, he claimed that the Congress’ allegations of the reduction of Central grants under the scheme were false as the Centre had made it clear that the State would continue to get its earlier grant of ₹17,000 crore under this scheme. However, the Congress government in the State was opposing this only because it did not have money to bear 40% of matching grants and it did not want the scheme to be named after Bharat, he alleged.

Referring to the Congress taking exception to removing the name of Mahatma Gandhi from the scheme, he maintained that the Congress did not have moral right to talk about Gandhiji as it had failed to honour his commitments, including prohibiting cow slaughter and propagating the ideals of Bhagavad Gita.

Mr. Ashok has written separate letters to Chief Minister and Speaker of the Assembly seeking special session to debate issues such as alleged threat to the interests of Kannadigas in Kerala by that State’s Bhasha Bill, alleged drug mafia and the problem of illegal immigrants.