‘Political’ fund allocation: Nanjanagudu scores over drought-hit areas

Anticipating a setback in support as its veteran leader V Srinivasa Prasad prepared to join the BJP, the Congress government has sanctioned ₹ 65.82 crore in development projects for Nanjanagudu, Prasad’s powerbase. Prasad formally joined the BJP on January 2.

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The move to curry favour with voters in Nanjanagudu, where a by-election is due in February, comes as 139 out of 176 taluks in the state are drought affected. While it is commendable that Nanjanagudu is getting grants for development (see graphic), drought-affected regions of Karnataka are not so fortunate. This brings into question the priorities of the State Government. The allocation of funds to Nanjanagudu seems to be a belated attempt by the Congress to wrest people’s affections from Prasad, who commands considerable influence in the area.

Srinivasa Prasad has been a powerful Dalit leader who supported Siddaramaiah when he started the “Ahinda” movement, after his expulsion from the JDS and won the Chamundeshwari bypolls held in December 2006. Observers claim that without Prasad’s support, Siddaramaiah would not have won the Chamundeshwari bypolls.

Later, when Siddaramaiah became Chief Minister, Prasad was Revenue Minister. However, he was dropped from the ministry along with 13 other ministers, when Siddaramaiah did a major “surgery” to his cabinet last June. Claiming that he was humiliated, he resigned as MLA and left the Congress last October, accusing Siddaramaiah of betraying him.

While all development and relief work has to be welcomed, using these initiatives as means for political gain could prove a double-edged sword for the Congress. The common man wants development, irrespective of political machinations.

Grants cleared in Nanjanagudu