The government's hard line on the transport strike has brought it criticism from an unexpected quarter. As the strike entered its second day, former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa took objection to Deputy Chief Minister, R. Ashoka's “inaction” in the matter. Unless the state government set aside its “false prestige” and resolved the crisis, it could lead to law and order problems, he warned.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the Mahatma Gandhi Teachings' Trust here on Friday, Mr Yeddyurappa said, “Why should anyone try to make a prestige issue out of this strike? The state government must make an all out effort to resolve the crisis instead of further complicating it. Let us try to protect the interests of both the employees and the people.” He also appealed to Chief Minister, Jagadish Shettar who was present at the function, to intervene and resolve the crisis before it got out of hand. “Be it associations of teachers or doctors, of late many have started blackmailing the state government on the question of their pay hikes. This is not a good trend. But the state government will have to deal with it in a more refined manner and not rub employees the wrong way,” he said.
Responding to Mr Yeddyurappa, Mr Shettar said he had authorised Mr Ashok, who is also the transport minister, to resolve the crisis. “It is his (Mr Yeddyurappa's) habit to bring such problems to the notice of the state government. Being a leader who always think about the people's interests first, he highlights every problem he comes across. This helps the government take corrective steps,” he maintained.