Kharge, Dr G Parameshwar, DKS with me: Karnataka CM ridicules split campaign' charge

Hubballi: Dismissing talk of differences in the ruling Congress, CM Siddaramaiah asserted that there was no rift and all leaders of the party were campaigning unitedly.

Responding to queries by mediapersons on why senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Dr G Parameshwar and D.K. Shivakumar were not accompanying him during the ongoing poll campaign, Mr Siddaramiaah said these leaders are touring their regions separately and had come together when AICC president Rahul Gandhi visited the state for campaigning.

The CM claimed that the infighting in the BJP had led to the denial of ticket to BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa’s son B.Y. Vijayendra in Varuna Assembly constituency. Vijayendra had campaigned for more than a month in Varuna  and yet BJP leaders Ananth Kumar, Jagadish Shettar, K.S. Eshwarappa and Santosh ensured he missed the ticket. Due to the same reason, Yeddyurappa failed to get the party ticket for his loyalist and Udupi MP Shobha Karandlaje, he added.

Addressing  a poll meeting in Rattihalli of Haveri district, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that the Congress will come to power in the state and he will become CM again for a second consecutive term. He ridiculed the challenge of Yeddyurappa that he will be sent to jail once the BJP comes to power and claimed that not a single criminal case has been lodged against him in his political career of four decades. 

Condemning the BJP for not giving party tickets to Muslims or Christians anywhere in the 224 Assembly constituencies, the CM said the Congress will not indulge in caste politics adding his party had ensured given justice for all communities. He also predicted that the JD(S) will win hardly 20-25 Assembly seats.

“PM Modi’s promise of Acche Din has not come even four years after BJP came to power at the Centre. The price of fuel and LPG have increased considerably. The BJP has  failed to bring back black money stashed abroad, poor people have suffered due to demonetisation.  Congress on the other hand, has fulfilled all its promises and launched Anna Bhagya to make Karnataka hunger-free”, Siddaramaiah said.