Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (PH)
Udupi, Nov 7: On the occasion of valedictory of the 150th year of Gandhi Jayanti, Udupi district Congress and Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj Sanghatan organised party workers conference at Town Hall Udupi on Wednesday, November 6.
Addressing the party workers, senior congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah said, “Nehru laid the foundation for Panchayat Raj Yojana. In the BJP administration, minorities are harldly given any seats or positions because they fear that these minorities will over rule them. Rajiv Gandhi made changes in 73rd and 74th amendment through which minorities are getting reserved seats in elections as well as good positions in the society.” He said that BJP wants Tipu to be thrown out of the textbooks. “But without Tippu and Hyder Ali, Mysuru history becomes incomplete. People who do no not know history cannot create the history,” he said.
He also remembered the days when Yediyurappa wore Tipu peta and held sword in his hand when he formed KJP party. “BJP go against me for starting Tipu Jayanti. But they never know that I even started Narayan Guru Jayanti and Kittoor Rani Chennamma Jayanti. BJP always states that Siddaramaiah is against Hindus. I was born in a Hindu family and raised by a Hindu family. But I do not act like these fake BJP Hindus. Today, BJP is trying to claim that Veer Savarkar is a freedom fighter and he supported BJP ideologies. But Veer Savarkar was a complete Congressman and he was against RSS. Today, BJP is lying to people and making fake promises. Our country has never witnessed a liar prime minister like Narendra Modi,” said Siddaramaiah.
Dinesh Gudu Rao, president of KPCC, said that no employment opportunities are generated for youths under Modi rule. “Only fake assurances are given by him. GDP has dropped low. During the elections, BJP focused on Parameshwar Mesta case. Siddaramaiah had handed over the case to CBI. But neighter Siddaramaiah nor any of the Congressmen were proved to be culprit. Today BJP does not speak about Parameshwar Mesta because they needed him only for votes.”
AICC general secretary Vishwanathan, former minister Pramod Madwaraj and Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLA Gopala Poojary, U R Sabhapathi, Ivan D’Souza, Rangaswami, Ashok Kodavoor, and Roshni Olivera were present in the programme. Congress district president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor welcomed the gathering.
Speaking to the press after the programme at town hall, Siddaramaiah said that he does not know about the conditions and agreements made by H D Deve Gowda or Congress leaders within themselves. But he knows that a meeting was held by Deve Gowda. Siddaramaiah said, “In 15 constituencies, by-elections will take place. If Yediyurappa led BJP government does not win at least eight seats, he must resign from his post. At that moment mid-term elections will commence. I never said I am going to demolish or destroy the government. BJP might seek the help of JD(S). If JD(S) is really a secular party, it will not join hands with BJP.”
Prior to this, ‘Gandhi Kuteera’, a new 550 sq ft home worth Rs 4.8 lac, constructed for Nalini, a poor Dalit woman from Korangrapady ward on the occasion of 150th Gandhi Jayanti, was inaugurated by Siddaramaiah. Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated the name plate of the newly constructed house. Siddaramaiah handed over Gandhiji’s photograph to Nalini, the owner of the house.