Hubballi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused the BJP of engaging in divisive politics by opposing the Tipu Jayanti celebrations planned by his government.
Addressing the party's fourth Sadhana Samavesha rally in Dharwad, he observed that the same BJP had once heaped praise on the famed Mysuru king, Tipu Sultan. Hitting out at the saffron party’s slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, he said it could not hope to achieve this goal if people of minority communities were deprived of the benefits of the country’s prosperity.
Ridiculing the BJP's aim to win 150 seats in the coming assembly poll, Mr Siddaramaiah asserted that neither its national president, Amit Shah nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have any impact in Karnataka as there was no anti-incumbency wave against his government in the state.
“Our victory in the Gundlupet and Nanjangud byelections have already proved that the people are behind the Congress. Our programmes have reached 90 per cent of the population and we have met 155 of the 165 promises made in our manifesto,” he said, listing his government’s initiatives like waiving off farmers’ loans, launching schemes like the Anna Bhagya and establishing the Indira canteens.
Claiming that no BJP ruled state in the country had implemented such pro-poor schemes , he accused the party of spreading falsehood about his government’s performance, and deplored that its leaders did not have “the courage” to accept his challenge for an open debate on the development work carried out.
BSY: Siddu a percentage CM
State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa, who has of late released documents to accuse CM Siddaramaiah of corruption in various deals, on Monday referred to him as a “percentage CM.”
Alleging that Mr Siddaramaiah cleared projects only if he got 25 to 30 per cent of the funds as commission, he charged that the Congress had minted money in the BBMP. “Its daylight robbery," he claimed, while addressing an event to release the logo and route map of the BJP’s 75-day Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivarthana Yatra in the state. Kicking off on November 2, the yatra will cover over 7,500 kms in 224 Assembly constituencies. Inaugurated by party president, Amit Shah, the rally will be held in two phases. The first, starting from the Bengaluru City Exhibition Centre, will cover 114 Assembly segments.
