MYSURU: Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah got down to the onerous task of testing the waters in Kodagu-a communally divided district, which did not send any Congress member to the Legislative Assembly in the last polls. Kodagu is adjacent to his home turf, Mysuru.
The CM addressed a jampacked audience at the Sadhana Samavesha at Madikeri, which saw a turnout of over 2,000 people, and laid the foundation stone for works worth Rs 121.55 crores in Madikeri and Virajpet constituencies.
In his speech, Mr Siddaramaiah said, "The BJP is trying to play politics over deaths (the death of Sangh parivar activist Deepak Rao in Mangaluru). Nobody must try to divide society, which is like a peaceful home for all religions. Like Kuvempu wrote, ‘Sarva janaangada shaanthiya thota,’ if society is broken, there will be no harmony or brotherhood. People must vow not to give power to communalists in the coming elections. No matter which BJP leader comes to Karnataka, the BJP will not win," he said.
Expressing disappointment over the absence of all three local MLAs at the Sadhana Samavesha, Mr Siddaramaiah said, "They should have been present to know the works we have taken up. Our government is the first in the state which not only fulfilled all promises made in the manifesto but went beyond it. The financial situation of the state has been good in the past five years. We have given a scam-free government. But some people who have gone to jail (read Yeddyurappa and Amit Shah) lie by making allegations of corruption against us. There has to be a limit to lies" he said.
Answering a question, he said, "Though there have been offers to contest from different constituencies, I will contest from Chamundeswari. I have won from Chamundeswari five times, there is no question of changing my seat."
KPCC President, Dr G Parameshwar who participated, said, "People allege that ties between me and Siddaramaiah are not good. But we have worked together like brothers for seven years.”
Reddy: Will hold peace talks in Mangaluru
Seeing the communal violence in Dakshina kannada worsening, the state government has decided to push for a dialogue with all stakeholders, including religious leaders soon to restore calm in the region.
Home Minister, Ramalinga Reddy , who intends to visit Mangaluru this week to hold a meeting with leaders of all communities to re-establish peace, says it is important to take confidence building measures to stop the situation from worsening.
"The increasing murders of Hindus and Muslims is affecting the image of Mangaluru, which was known for communal harmony. The two communities are growing increasingly distrustful of each other and so the immediate task is to involve all religious leaders in advising their people to stop hating each other," the Minister told the Deccan Chronicle.
Claiming that a few miscreants supported by some parties were trying to create law and order problems, he said those who had been killed in the recent past were innocent and had no affiliation to any "But some organisations are trying to divide society i without understanding its impact," he regretted. According to government figures, 21 persons have been killed in Dakshina Kannada in recent years over religious, personal and other differences. -Shyam Sundar Vattam
