From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Belagavi, May 5: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday described this Lok Sabha election as a fight between Congress’ promises and BJP’s falsehood and lies.
Addressing a press conference in Belagavi, he said, “We have fulfilled all our promises. BJP has been betraying people for 10 years with its false promises. This election is a fight between the promises and falsehood.”
“BJP has not fulfilled any promises which it made in the last 10 years. BJP does politics of emotion but refuses to address issues pertaining to the livelihood of people. Congress has taken a historic decision to change the lives of people. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I signed on the guarantee card in the State. Our leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have signed on the guarantee cards at the national level. Congress will roll out these guarantees as soon as we come to power,” he said.
Shivakumar said, “Many BJP leaders including Yediyurappa, Vijayendra and Ashoka have said that there won’t be any guarantees after the elections, but they are day dreaming” and added: "BJP leaders are trying to stop the guarantees but be rest assured, we won’t let that happen.”
The KPCC chief said "BJP leaders are talking about SC and ST people. It was the Siddaramaiah government which brought the SCP-TSP legislation and allocated budgets to various communities. This year, we have allocated Rs 39,000 crores for SC, ST and the poor while the BJP has been ignoring this segment of people."
`“The BJP has been making hollow statements about irrigation projects too. We have taken up many irrigation projects in this part of the state including Upper Krishna and Upper Bhadra. We have even called for tenders in Mahadayi though Centre is yet to give environmental clearance,” he said.
BJP opposed temple development
Turning the tables against BJP, he said the BJP keeps harping on religion but it opposes our government's legislation to improve income of small temples. This legislation would have helped the priests and their children, but BJP ensured that the governor blocked the new legislation.
"BJP doesn't have any moral right to seek vote said the BJP hasn't done anything and they don't have any moral right to ask for votes. Once we come to power, we will implement our tax our right scheme, will implement Mekedatu, Mahadayi, Bhadra projects. The Centre announced Rs 5300 crore for Upper Bhadra but hasn't released anything,” he said.
Training his guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the KPCC chief said "Modi is talking about Mangalasutra. The gold used for Mangalasutra was Rs 24,000 per 10 gram during Manmohan Singh government has reached Rs 74,000 today."
He said, "Belagavi is an important part of Karnataka. We established Suvarna
Soudha and passed many key legislations. We also started our Prajadvani yatra from here. We also launched Gruhajyothi from this place. Congress will win 10 of the 14 seats in the second phase of the election. On the whole, we will win more than 20 seats,” he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala were also present at the press conference.