Siddaramaiah Dares BJP To Open Debate On Development Track Record

“If the people say we have not delivered, we are ready to bow our heads in humility. But if they acknowledge our work, then those constantly levelling baseless allegations should retire from politics,” he said.

Siddaramiah was in Indi on Monday to launch and lay foundations for various development works and unveil the Lemon Development Board logo. He also marked the 500 crore free rides and inaugurated the Sri Siddeshwara Mega Market.

“Today alone I have laid the foundation for works worth Rs 4,157 crore and inaugurated projects worth Rs 401 crore — totaling Rs 4,559 crore in the Indi and Nagatana Assembly segments of Vijayapura district. Let the opposition come and witness this for themselves. I have invited them many times. But instead of accepting, they sit elsewhere, making false allegations and misleading the people,” Siddaramaiah said.

He challenged the BJP to share the stage with him to compare governance: “Prepare the platform — I will come. Let us both stand before the people and present what we have done in the past two years, as well as during our earlier terms, and what the BJP did in its four years. Let the people decide. We believe in democracy and accept their verdict. If the people say we have not delivered, we are ready to bow our heads in humility. But if they acknowledge our work, then those constantly levelling baseless allegations should retire from politics,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the opposition’s tactics, Siddaramaiah remarked, “Sitting somewhere and making false claims for publicity, misleading people, and trying to gain power through such wrong tactics — that dream will never be fulfilled. I want to make that absolutely clear.”

He also responded sharply to the opposition’s repeated allegation that the state treasury is empty. “The JD(S) and BJP make such statements purely for political reasons. They say there's no money, but on what basis? It is entirely false — a baseless allegation. Since we came to power, development has remained a top priority. There has never been a time when funds were unavailable for development works,” he said.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to promises made, Siddaramaiah noted the formation of the Lemon Development Board. “I had promised support to lemon farmers when they were uprooting their crops due to water scarcity. Today, we have delivered on that promise by launching the Lemon Development Board. This is the Congress tradition — we speak and we act,” he said.

He went on to cite flagship welfare schemes as proof of inclusive development. “Is it not development when 500 crore trips have been made by women for free under the Shakti Scheme? When 1.23 crore families receive monthly support under Gruha Lakshmi? When 1.64 crore households get 200 units of free electricity? When lakhs benefit from Anna Bhagya and Yuva Nidhi?” he asked.

Without factoring in the cost of guarantee schemes, Rs 83,000 crore has already been allocated for developmental works, Siddaramaiah said. “This alone shows our commitment to building a progressive Karnataka. Don’t fall for the BJP-JD(S)’s lies — the truth is visible on the ground,” he added.

The event was presided over by MLA Yashwantraigowda Patil and attended by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, ministers MB Patil, HC Mahadevappa and others.