Bypoll: Contest between CM's ego and Srinivasprasad's self respect, says BSY

Mysuru: Making the most of  their last public rallies in Nanjangud , both the Congress and the BJP made sure their supporters were out in strength on Thursday.  While the Congress rally saw a crowd of over 3000, some two hours later the  BJP rally saw around 10,000 people filling the grounds of the   Vidyavardaka college.

Addressing their individual rallies, both  Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state BJP chief, B.S. Yeddyurappa  declared they would win the bypoll by a margin of over 25,000 votes and took every opportunity to run down the  other.

"Mr B S Yeddyurappa has the illusion that the BJP will win, but it is we who win with a margin of over 25,000 votes," Mr Siddaramaiah said. Denying that the party was squandering the  taxpayer's money on the elections as alleged, he asked, "How can this happen when there is an Election Commission? It is not our practice to hold elections by emptying the state treasury. We bank on the strength of the people and our party workers."

While asserting that he wouldn't speak against Mr Yeddyurappa, the Chief Minister regretted that he continued  to target him. "Feeling desperate over losing the elections, he is talking nonsense." he added.

A couple of hours later , at the BJP rally, Mr  Yeddyurappa described the bypoll as a contest between "the CM's ego and Mr  Srinivasprasad's self respect." Once again accusing the Congress party of using money power to win the election, he charged, addressing the CM, " You have emptied Vidhana Soudha and brought your cabinet to distribute the taxpayers money  to win the elections. You should be ashamed. Your leader, who was caught with Rs 120 crore during the I-T raid, has been seen distributing money in Gundulpet and your workers are seen distributing sarees in Devarasanahalli in Nanjangud."

Contending that he was another name for betrayal, he claimed Mr Siddaramaiah was responsible for the defeat of Dr G Parameshwar in the assembly elections as he feared he would become Chief Minister.

" My face may not be as beautiful as yours (Siddaramaiah), but people will vote for us considering our principles, policies and behavior," he maintained, adding the  bypoll results would show that the BJP had the backing of the scheduled caste and tribes and the backward classes. He declared that he  would travel the length and breadth of the state after April 13 to make sure  the government  waived farmer loans.