Karnataka Minister Criticizes Deve Gowda’s Silence on Mekedatu Project

Rapid Summary:

• Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda criticized former PM H.D. Deve Gowda for remaining silent about the Mekedatu project, despite earlier promises made during Lok Sabha elections regarding prompt approval.
• mr.Byre Gowda noted that Karnataka had suffered even after electing JD(S)-BJP candidates and alleged that the Center had not released ₹5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project as promised.
• He also accused the Central government of attempting to impose Hindi on Karnataka’s people and highlighted important changes he initiated as Revenue Minister to benefit citizens.
• MLA K.M. Shivalinge Gowda claimed Karnataka was denied an equitable share of tax collections, pointing out that ₹4.5 lakh crore collected from the State yielded only ₹65,000 crore in returns from the Center.
• K.M. Shivalinge Gowda suggested appointing a local Congress leader as Hassan district minister in charge to strengthen Congress’s prospects in all seven assembly constituencies during upcoming state elections.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The remarks by Karnataka’s Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda underscore ongoing tensions between regional aspirations and federal-level promises in India’s governance system. The absence of tangible progress on projects like Mekedatu or Upper Bhadra fuels dissatisfaction, especially when commitments are made during election campaigns but remain unfulfilled years later-a recurring theme characterizing federal-state dynamics across sectors.

Tax-sharing disputes raised by MLA K.M.Shivalinge Gowda further reflect fiscal imbalances perceived by states like Karnataka, which contribute substantially to national revenues yet feel insufficiently reimbursed-an issue central to India’s broader debates on cooperative federalism.

While these grievances were voiced at a Congress event geared towards party mobilization ahead of elections, they reflect pressing governance challenges pertinent across political lines: how promises translate into actionable policies and equitable resource distribution between states and the Center.Read more: [link provided in original article]