UDUPI: With elections to Gram Panchayats round the corner, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to opt out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tour of China. Mr. Siddaramaiah, who was in Udupi on Monday to inaugurate the first phase of Varahi irrigation project, told the media “There are no political reasons for me to skip the foreign tour.
As Gram Panchayat elections are scheduled shortly, I have decided not to be a part of the delegation (to China). The elections will be held on time after incorporating new amendments.”
Reacting sharply to JD (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy’s criticism of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with farmers, the Chief Minister said Mr Gandhi does not need suggestions from the former chief minister.
“Mr Rahul Gandhi is touring the country, listening to problems of farmers. He will come to Karnataka, too. Mr Kumaraswamy need not decide about his tour of Karnataka. As Chief Minister Mr Kumaraswamy did nothing for farmers. The Congress party has chalked out various programmes to help farmers,” he added.
Speaking after inaugurating the first phase of Varahi project, Mr Siddaramaiah assured people that the entire project would be completed in two years. “Work of irrigating 6,000 acres has been completed in the first phase. The remaining work will be completed in two years. Of the total work, 60 per cent was done after the Congress government came to power in the state,” he added.
