Hubballi: Holding out “incentives” to voters ahead of the November 3 bypolls in the state seems to be becoming a habit with Congress leaders.
Close on the heels of Deputy Chief Minister, Dr G Parameshwar offering to asphalt the Savalgi-Jamkhandi road at an election rally if the people voted for the Congress, former Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah on Friday promised that an irrigation project in Jamkhandi constituency would be completed if party candidate, Anand Nyamagouda was elected.
Addressing an election rally in Chikkalagi village, he assured the people that the coalition government would complete the project if they voted for Mr Nyamagouda in the coming assembly bypoll from the constituency.
Seeming unfazed by the complaint filed by the state BJP against Dr Parameshwar with the Election Commission for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by his recent offer of an “incentive” to the voters, Mr Siddaramaiah recalled the efforts made by Mr Anand’s father, Siddu Nyamagouda to build the Chikkapadasalagi barrage with the help of farmers without any assistance from the government.
He then took on state BJP leaders for failing to persuade Prime Minister Narendra Modi to waive off farm loans issued by nationalised banks.
“State BJP leaders sat crouching like puppies before the Prime Minister and kept silent when we took a delegation to him demanding waiver of farmers’ loans,” he said caustically.
In a clear attempt to strike an emotional chord with the people, he implied that Mr Anand was not being opportunistic in contesting the bypoll in place of his dead father, and had to be forced to enter the fray by the party.
CM again? Let’s see after next polls: Siddaramaiah
“Let's see if there are blessings of the people in the next elections,” was senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah's refrain Friday when asked if he wants to become chief minister again even though he asserted he has no such “greed”.
The head of the Congress-JD(S) coalition coordination committee also accused state BJP chief B.S. Yeddyurappa of being “greedy” to become CM once again, as he was growing old. “ Am I going on claiming that I will become chief minister (like Yeddyurappa)have I said that? That question does not arise at all at this stage... Let's see if there are blessings of the people in the next election," he said in response to a question about his aspiration to become CM again. Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, he said, “ If people bless in the next assembly election, let's see it then...” Noting that he contested the recent assembly polls on the insistence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Congress legislature party leader said there are no such thoughts in his mind as of now. “I had got an opportunity to become chief minister for five years, we have run a government that has walked its talk, and we have fulfilled the promises made to the people. I have that contentment. I don't have the greed to keep on becoming the chief minister," he added. Ahead of the May 12 assembly polls, Siddaramaiah had indicated that it could "most likely" be his last election. Earlier during the 2013 assembly polls also he had said it was his last election.
