R. Ashok | Photo credit: EMAIL DISTRIBUTION
The opposition BJP on Wednesday termed the Cabinet’s decision to convene a special session of the legislature to discuss the VB-G RAM G Bill as an act of “small fide intent” that will not serve any public good, saying it was called only to divert public attention from the ongoing leadership tussle in the government.
Addressing a press conference here, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok said the state government should approach the Center if it has any problems with the VB-G RAM G Bill. Convening a meeting just to launch a tirade at the Center would lead to wastage of taxpayers’ money, he said.
While defending the new law, he argued that the Congress’ claims of reduction in central grants under the scheme were false as the Center had made it clear that the state would continue to get its earlier grant of ₹17,000 crore under the scheme. But the Congress government in the state opposed it only because it did not have the money to cover 40% of the matching grants and did not want the scheme to be named after Bharat, he claimed.
Referring to the Congress taking exception to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme, he argued that the Congress had no moral right to talk about Gandhi because it had failed to uphold its commitments, including the ban on cow slaughter and the promotion of the ideals of the Bhagavad Gita.
Mr. Ashok wrote separate letters to the Chief Minister and the Speaker of the Assembly to request a special session to discuss issues such as the alleged threat to the interests of Kannadigas in Kerala by the state’s Bhasha Act, the alleged drug mafia and the problem of illegal immigrants.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 19:38 IST
