Upbeat Kharge: My work speaks for me

Gulbarga|Mangalore: Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who is contesting from the Gulbarga Lok Sabha seat for the second time, on Thursday gave an open challenge to his critics to tour the district to get a first- hand account of the development works launched by him during the last five years.

Addressing a large number of his supporters at the DCC office here before filing the nomination papers, Mr Kharge exuded confidence that the development works launched by him during the last five years would help him win in this election.

Recalling his contributions Mr Kharge said his efforts in setting up the Central University, ESIC Hospital and Medical Complex, Government Medical College, road and rail projects besides getting Article 371 amended to confer special status on the HK region were there for everybody to see. "If Dr Ambedkar had drafted the Constitution for the entire country, Article 371 (J) has been amended to ameliorate the condition of two crore people in the HK region. My contributions are visible to those who have eyes, but those who are blind cannot see them. I have done what best an MP can do for his constituency during his five year tenure. It's now up to the people to judge", Mr Kharge commented without taking the name of BJP leaders who are questioning his contributions.

Referring to the achievements of the UPA II government particularly for alleviating poverty in the country, Mr Kharge exuded confidence that people would vote the UPA to power for the third term.

Observing that no adequate publicity has been given to the development works of UPA, Mr Kharge made a fervent appeal to party workers to take the message to every doorstep.

Sitting MP of Dakshina Kannada and BJP candidate for the Parliament election Nalin Kumar Kateeltoo filed his nomination at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday.