Daijiworld Media Network - Ballari (SP)

Ballari, Oct 23: The campaigning for by-polls for three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats in the state being held on November 3 has gained momentum. Leaders of political parties are busy urging voters to choose their candidate over the ones fielded by the opponents.

A war of words has been going on between former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, and BJP legislator, B Sriramulu in this constituency. While Siddaramaiah poked at Sriramulu by saying that he believes that Sriramulu does not know anything about article 371 (J) of Indian Constitution which has granted special status to Hyderabad-Karnataka region, Sriramulu has hit back by expressing the suspicion that Siddaramaiah was deep sleep when he was speaking on this issue in both the state assembly and Lok Sabha.

In his addresses, Siddaramaiah, who also chairs coalition government's coordination committee, urged voters to reject Sriramulu. who he said, deals in only sections 326, 307, 323 and 420 of Indian Penal Code and has no knowledge about article 371J. "Can you expect the progress of the constituency by voting people like Sriramulu, who had joined hands with Yeddyurappa in the past and plundered the state's resources?" he questioned and asked the people to keep such people out of power.

Siddaramaiah also pointed out that Ugrappa, who is purely a Kannadiga, is a top leader of Valmiki community. "Ugrappa has profound knowledge about Kannada language and culture. Sriramulu cannot properly speak in Kannada. If you choose Ugrappa, who speaks clear Kannada, to Lok Sabha, he will be able to raise his voice there about the state's problems. Sriramulu has not spoken in the Lok Sabha about the development of this district so far. His sister, J Shanta, who is fighting the election as BJP candidate this time, is no exception," he said.

Siddaramaiah also advised Sriramulu to stop growing beard and enacting drama in front of the people. "Sriramulu has never completed his term of office. Has he ever opened his mouth in the Lok Sabha? For what purpose does BJP want people to vote for J Shanta? These people had let loose goondas on us to threaten us. Do you think they will spare commoners like you?" he questioned.

Sriramulu, hitting back at Siddaramaiah, said that he had raised 572 questions in the Lok Sabha after being elected. "I had taken part in 22 debates. As against this, national president of Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, participated only in 12 debates and failed to raise even a single question. Siddaramaiah should study all these things before pointing fingers at others. Just because he is addicted to speaking, he should not speak rubbish. As far as utilization of MP Local Area Development Fund is concerned, I top the entire state with H D Deve Gowda of JD(S) in second spot. Siddaramaiah is ignorant of these things," he ridiculed.

Sriramulu said he had never expected that Ballari Lok Sabha constituency will go to bypoll. Still, as by election is compulsory, I am sure that the voters will vote for J Shanta, he said.

In the meanwhile, it is learnt that Siddaramaiah has been entrusted with the task of appeasing former MLAs, Cheluvaraya Swamy and Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda, who are angry at the failure of Congress party to field candidate for Mandya Lok Sabha bypoll. Siddaramaiah is likely to hold a meeting between Congress and JD(S) leaders either on Tuesday or Wednesday, it is gathered.