Siddaramaiah on inauguration spree ahead of polls

Bengaluru: Expecting the notification for the zilla and taluk panchayat polls to be issued next week, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is on a foundation laying spree for various development works across the state.

The CM is slated to visit at least six to seven districts till January 12, to inaugurate or lay the foundation stone for a number of works before the poll code of conduct comes into effect. Sources close to the Chief Minister told Deccan Chronicle that there is pressure from party legislators on the CM to visit their respective districts to inaugurate completed projects and to lay the foundation stone for new works. This, according to sources, would help local leaders boost the achievements of their government in the campaign for the coming ZP/TP polls. Besides, it would be a boost for candidates contesting the ZP/ TP polls.

Sources said the CM visited Ramanagaram and Davangere districts on Tuesday. He will be visiting Bagalkot district on Wednesday, Davangere, Hassan and Mysuru on Thursday, Chamarajangar district and Dakshina Kannada district on Friday, Mandya district on Saturday, Mysuru district on Sunday and Hassan district on January 12. This was also a sort of canvassing for the Congress Party as the ZP/TP polls are like a semi-final for the 2018 Assembly polls. With nearly 2.61 crore voters, this election would indicate the people's mindset towards the ruling party. The government's image had been dented due to unchecked farmer suicides, severe shortage of drinking water in rural areas and failure to implement several programmes. Sources said a private chopper has been booked for Mr Siddaramaiah for the next five to six days so that he can return to Bengaluru after attending programmes. The spree of inaugurations include opening of a new bus stand, filling of tanks, drinking water schemes, police training school, launching

of 'Kandaya adalat', besides laying the foundation stone for development works like roads and irrigation schemes.