From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 22: KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar ridiculed Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai terming the Congress party’s pre-poll Guarantees as “bogus guarantees,” and asserted that the Congress does not believe in fooling people false and unimplemented promises like depositing Rs 15 lakh into each person’s bank accounts, doubling of farmers’ income and creating 2 crore jobs every year.

Speaking to media persons after welcoming senior BJP leader Baburao Chinchanasur, who had resigned as MLC to join Congress, Shivakumar said Bommai does not know what he is talking about and forgets his own government’s corruption scams and failures. “Did the BJP in Karnataka keep its promises on supplying 10 hours of power for IP sets of farmers,” he asked.

“We know that the country will be facing lok sabha polls next year. We are conscious of our responsibilities and have pondered a lot and have discussed for months together to finalise our guarantees. Our guarantees to the people are our commitments. Therefore, the Guarantee Cards are signed by me and Siddaramaiah,” he said.

Shivakumar said Congress party will work for the welfare of the poor, uplift of the conditions of weaker sections, improve the lot of women and the youth. “We are prepared for a public debate on our promises and let BJP come for a debate on what it promised and delivered,” he said,

The KPCC chief said the very fact that Chinchansuru has quit BJP even though his term as MLC had another one and half years and had served as chairman of the Ambigara Chowdaiah Development Corporation. “He is a Congressman and had left party due to personal differences. He has made a homecoming unconditionally. He had served as Congress minister several times in the past. His re-entry is a big asset and boost to the party,” he said pointing out that several persons and key leaders from different parties have joined the Congress.

After being formally admitted into the Congress, Chinchanasur said he has joined the party because AICC chief Mallikarjuna Kharge has become a national leader and he wanted to strengthen his leadership.

“The Hyderabad-Karnataka region is Kharge’s stronghold. BJP’s efforts to weaken Kharge’s hold over the region will not work. I will show what I am capable of by ensuring Congress victory in 25 more seats from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region,” he declared.

Asked about his enmity with Kharge and his decision to quit Congress to defeat the leader and his challenge to finish Kharge’s political career in the region while joining BJP, Chinchanasur said: “I had my differences. Our differences are like that of father and son. All that has been sorted out now,” he said.

Refuting the charge that he was following opportunistic politics, he said: “I don’t have father, mother and children. We are only two, me and my wife. I have been serving the people during the last 25 years,” he said promising to work for the Congress.