As cash-strapped Karnataka govt eyes VIP jet and helicopter, BJP mocks with ‘no food, jasmine in hair’ metaphor

NEW DELHI: The opposition BJP has criticised the Karnataka govt over its reported plan to purchase a helicopter and a private jet, calling the move “utterly ironic” at a time of financial distress. “There is no money for development projects, no funds to formulate new schemes, government employees' salaries are not being paid on time, the chief minister's relief fund is not reaching patients fighting life-and-death situations in emergencies on time, and even the pensions of freedom fighters are not being provided. And in such a deplorable financial state, the Congress government's decision to purchase a '5-seater helicopter and a 13-seater jet' is utterly ironic,” state BJP president Vijayendra Yeddiyurappa said. “This reminds one of the proverb, ‘There's no food in the stomach, but there's a jasmine flower in the hair,’” he added.

Yeddiyurappa further accused the Congress of wasteful spending. “After coming to power, the Congress government has emptied the state treasury by organising extravagant programs and events to showcase its prestige. It continues to raise taxes and the prices of essential goods to fund lavish expenditures from the people’s tax money.

The principle that people give power for public service never seems to occur to the Congress.

” He urged the government to withdraw the proposal, adding, “The state and its people face a mountain of challenges, with the public’s hardships reaching extreme levels. The government should first respond to the people’s sorrows and grievances, take up urgent development projects, and immediately step back from the process of purchasing helicopters and jets under the pretext of cost-saving.”

Govt’s proposal

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar had earlier said the government was “seriously” exploring the addition of helicopters to its official fleet, describing it as a “long-pending demand.” “We are considering calling for tenders soon,” he said on Monday after meeting energy minister KJ George, urban development minister BS Suresha and senior officials. “The CM has authorised me and a couple of other cabinet colleagues to consider buying helicopters. We will talk to HAL and get their inputs on technical aspects,” he said, adding that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) would be made the nodal agency.