From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Hubballi/Haveri, Mar 26: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai indicated that the ruling BJP’s list of candidates for the coming assembly polls will be announced after the Election Commission announces the election dates and asserted that the State Government’s decision on reservation quota for different communities was taken after due deliberations to provide justice the oppressed and deserving sections of society.

Speaking to media persons on Sunday, he said BJP always releases the list of
candidates only after the announcement of the dates of polling. The same would be followed this time also. The list would be released at the right time, he said.

Bommai declared that he would not rest till the oppressed classes were rendered justice. Several people had advised not to stir the hornet's nest but still he went ahead with internal reservation as he wanted the oppressed classes to get the benefits.

He said the demand for a hike in the reservation had been pending for the last 30 years but the Congress Party did not do anything but make false promises. They had thought it would not be possible for the BJP to do it.

"We showed our commitment by getting a report, got the study done, constituted a Cabinet sub-committee, and took a bold decision as per law," he said.

The chief minister said the Congress leaders are frustrated as the BJP did what they could not do and talked rubbish that has no value. "The Congress has always hoodwinked SCs/STs and that was their track record. They
are under the wrong impression that they would get those votes by showing
sympathy but are not aware of the fact that there is an elected government to decide it. The incumbent government has taken a decision only after the discussion regarding any demand from any association or organisation for social or other developments,’’ he said.

A list of works done by the present BJP government will be released soon. The government is there to take historic decisions, he stated.

Replying to a question about snatching away 4 per cent reservation for the minority Muslims and distributing the same among the other two communities, Bommai said they are eligible for a 4 per cent quota on economic grounds but now they are given 10 per cent instead of 4 per cent. Then how it would become an injustice for the Muslim community?, he asked.

The government has taken a wise decision by keeping the welfare of Muslims in mind, he said.

Bommai clarified that the tender process for the Mahadayi project would go on despite the poll conduct coming into being. The work would start soon after getting approval from the Forest Department.

The chief minister made the same point during his interaction with media persons in his assembly constituency of Shiggaon in Haveri district after participating in the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali convention and the inauguration of the community building.

He asserted that he would never indulge in election-oriented politics and said he was committed to the welfare of the oppressed classes and deprived sections. He explained the various initiatives taken by his government for the welfare of the people.