'Not inferior to Centre': K'taka to Sitharaman on 'unbelievable' remark
Karnataka deputy CM G Parameshwara tells Nirmala Sitharaman, 'We are not inferior to the centre, we are partners.'
Bengaluru: A day after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman openly blasted Karnataka Minister Sa Ra Mahesh at a press conference in Kodagu where she had visited to review the flood-affected areas, the deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka G Parameshwara on Saturday tweeted his disapproval saying, "It was disappointing to see you lash out at my colleague."
Sa Ra Mahesh on Friday had asked the Union Defence Minister to wind up the press conference at the district commissioner's office, citing lack of time.
"Our ministers have stayed back in Kodagu for weeks to oversee relief operations along with the district administration. You should extend to them the same respect that they extend for the help from your end," the deputy chief minister tweeted.
Madam @nsitharaman, our ministers have stayed back in Kodagu for weeks to oversee relief operations along with district administration. You should extend to them the same respect that they extend for the help from your end. It was disappointing to see you lash out at my colleague
— Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) August 25, 2018
Karnataka deputy chief minister added, "State governments derive their powers from our Constitution not from the Centre... We are not inferior to the Centre. We are partners."
State Governments derive their powers from our Constitution not from the Centre. The Constitution has distributed powers among the Centre and States to ensure an equitable partnership between both. We are not inferior to the Centre. We are partners @nsitharaman
— Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) August 25, 2018
Lashing out at Karnataka minister Sa Ra Mahesh, Nirmala Sitharaman said, "I am following a minute-to-minute programme, minister. If officials are important, my parivaar (family) is also important.... Central minister follows the minister in-charge here. Unbelievable."
Also Read: 'Unbelievable': Sitharaman spars with K'taka minister for asking to end speech
When told the conversation was getting recorded on cameras, Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, shot back "Let it get recorded."
Sitharaman on Friday visited many relief camps in Kodagu including one of the Seva Bharti camps run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS.
Former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of "step-motherly" treatment.
I condemn the stepmotherly treatment by @PMOIndia in releasing relief funds. We expected PM @narendramodi to assess the loss instead it was delegated to @DefenceMinIndia, who was more interested in dominating our state minister. This reflects @BJP4India 's apathy towards Ktaka.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 25, 2018
The torrential rains that lashed the district last week has left a huge trail of destruction and claimed at least 17 lives. More than 5,000 people have been rendered homeless.
Sitharaman on Friday visited many relief and rehabilitation camps in the area, including one of the Seva Bharti camps run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS.