Karnataka has much to learn from neighbouring Andhra: Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru, July 6 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday accused the Karnataka Congress government, led by D.K. Shivakumar, of failing to take a united stand when it comes to safeguarding the state's interests, and said Karnataka has much to learn from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, he said, "In other states, governments pursue us and repeatedly ask for industries. Karnataka has much to learn from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Whatever their political differences, when it comes to the development of their state, they stand united."

Kumaraswamy cited the revival package for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant as an example.

"They must understand the story behind the special package for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

I know how hard the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh worked for it. When I visited Visakhapatnam after the special package was announced, people there performed a milk abhishekam for me. I do not need any such abhishekam here. Just allow me to work," Kumaraswamy said.

He further said that the Congress Chief Minister of Telangana had met him on several occasions and sought greater support from the Centre.

"Their own party's Chief Minister is in power in Telangana.

He has met me several times and requested more electric buses. He has also asked that Telangana be given a major steel plant on the lines of the one sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh," Kumaraswamy said.

"They should understand that one of the largest green steel plants is coming up at Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh... Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu personally insisted that I attend the foundation stone ceremony. That is how a state gets work done from the Centre.

The Karnataka Chief Minister and the state's officials have much to learn from them," the Union Minister observed.

Kumaraswamy also took a swipe at the state government over its tree-planting initiatives.

"The Bengaluru Development Minister had spoken about money being made through tree planting. Just recently, the Chief Minister put on a grand show and secured enormous publicity by claiming that 15 lakh saplings had been planted.

Go there and see how those saplings have actually been planted.

They have planted them as though they were transplanting paddy seedlings. And these are the people who claim to be protecting forests," Kumaraswamy remarked sarcastically.

The Union Minister alleged that the Congress government had begun creating obstacles from the moment he assumed charge of the Ministry of Heavy Industries at the Centre.

"When, as Steel Minister, I began efforts to strengthen Kudremukh Iron Ore Company, this government started creating hurdles there as well.