Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 8: On the second day of his visit to the coastal region, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday January 8 laid the foundation for as well as inaugurated development works worth Rs 445 crore in Kaup constituency here. He also took the opportunity to slam the BJP and hit out at his UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath for questioning his religion.
The CM laid the foundation a project worth Rs 41 crore to supply drinking water from Manipur river to Kaup municipal council and surrounding villages, scientific research center worth Rs 400 crore in Belapu, industrial zone worth Rs 10 crore, government polytechnic worth Rs 8.63 crore, waste disposal unit of Kaup municipal council and drain water purification unit at a cost of Rs 10 crore and works of other departments. He also inaugurated the new building of Kaup municipal council built at a cost of Rs five crore.
Addressing the gathering during the formal stage programme, Siddaramaiah said, "The Congress gave good welfare programmes to the people during the 70 years of its rule in the country. Today in Udupi, in just one day, we have inaugurated and laid foundation for projects worth several hundreds of crores in Byndoor, Brahmavar and Kaup constituencies of Udupi."
Lauding MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake for his work, he said, "True to his name, Sorake is really humble and active member of the Congress. I have worked with him when he was minister for over three years, but unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, he could not continue in the post. In politics it is not important that 2 plus 2 make 4, sometimes it can be 2 or even 3. People have given us power not to let us enjoy, but to serve them.
"Today, I feel satisfied about the governance we have given. We have been able to meet the expections of the people and give them a government free from corruption and scams. On January 13, we will complete 4.8 years in power," he added.
Launching an attack on BJP, Siddaramaiah said, "Amit Shah, Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy keep commenting about Congress. They are the ones who have gone to jail. Both BJP state president (Yeddyurappa) and national president (Amit Shah) have gone to jail. BJP leaders have looted Karnataka. Do they have any shame left?
"Yeddyurappa and JD(S) state president Kumaraswamy only tell lies. They worship lies. They tell the same lie a hundred times till it sounds like truth to the public. They keep talking about revealing corruption scandals against me, but have nothing to show.
"Yeddyurappa says he will waive farmer loans if he comes to power. But neither Yeddyurappa nor Kumaraswamy will become the chief minister of Karnataka," he asserted, adding, "After Nanjangud elections BJP kept saying they will win, but people gave a huge victory to Congress, and BJP is still feeling the sting. Do we need such cultureless people to govern the state?"
Advising the Congress party workers to only speak the truth, he said, "People of Karnataka are mature and sensible. They will only consider the work we have done. Do not tell lies, instead tell them about the work we have done. We have lived up to the expectations of the people. When you provide basic amenities like health, education and housing, people remember you.
Attacking union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde, the CM said, "Ananth Kumar Hegde does not know parliamentary language. He talks in singular. His face has a permanent frown now. People know his hidden agenda."
'I am a better Hindu than Yogi Adityanath'
Hitting out at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on the Hindutva debate, he said, "I am a better Hindu than him. Those who are have no humanity are anti-religion too. Yogi Adityanath is trying to teach me Hindutva - he does not know Hindutva comes from one's character and not from choice of food.
"I come from farmer's family. I have ploughed in the fields and lifted dung. Does Adityanath know anything about farming? I do not need lessons from the BJP.
"I eat non-veg, but I gave up beef after trying once, as I did not like it. There is nothing wrong in eating beef. They (BJP) think that only minorities eat beef. Karnataka is not Uttar Pradesh. This is a land where luminaries like Basavanna, Kanakadasa, Kuvempu, Narayana Guru and others were born. In the name of Hindutva and religion, the BJP is misleading the people," he said.
The CM said that he would visit Udupi once again in the next few months to elaborate on the works done by his government.
"I am confident that Congress will come to power again," he said.
He also said that Byndoor, Hebri, Kaup and Brahmavar will be formally made taluks this month.
On the occasion, government benefits were distributed from various departments to 10,000 beneficiaries.
"Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake has given his best service to Kaup constituency in the guidance of CM Siddaramaiah during his term. Without him, it was not possible to develop the Kaup constituency. I urge the people to support him," said district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj.
MLA Sorake in his welcome speech said, "A long-pending demand to form Kaup taluk was neglected by the earlier government. CM has created history by declaring Kaup as taluk. It will be formed soon. It was not mentioned either in T M Hundekar committee nor in Guddigowdar committee.
"Kaup is all set to install 33 government offices. The hospital will be upgraded. Kaup has the highest number of NRIs, businessmen and religious personalities. All religious people are also living together harmoniously in this area. There was no identity for this constituency but by forming Kaup taluk, the wish of people will be fulfilled.”
“People were demanding for Kaup taluk from the last 25-30 years. A master plan has been made and a mini Vidhana Soudha has also been sanctioned by the present government. We have launched a project to convert PWD roads to two-lane roads in the constituency. A proposed project, Rs 400 worth global-level science research centre was sanctioned to Belapu in Kaup. Over Rs 50 crores of funds was already sanctioned. The chief minister has also launched integrated developments projects in Kaup constituency.”
Hejamady harbour
“CM added Hejamady harbour proposal to his first budget. But it was neglected by the NDA government. Later, an agreement was made to provide 75:25 grants. A fishermen committee met central government to convince them. Then an agreement was made between centre and state to sanction 50:50 grants for Hejamady harbour,” Sorake said.
“CM Siddaramaiah has contributed to the growth of this region by making Kaup a town municipality. Earlier it was neglected by the previous government though it was eligible for it,” he added.
Food and civil supply, state health minister UT Khadar and Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes also spoke on the occasion.
Mangaluru University vice chancellor, Prof K Byrappa, MLC K Pratapchandra Shetty, Belapu Panchayat president Deviprasad Shetty, state minority development commission chairman M A Gafoor, District Youth Congress Vishwas V Amin, SCDCC M N Rajendra, Kalala, former MLA Gopal Bhandary, Udupi Block Congress president, Urban development authority president Narasimha Murthy, ZIlla panchayat member, Janardhan Thonse, Satish Amin Padukere, Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis were present.