Kalaburagi: Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who was defeated from Kalaburagi in the recent Lok Sabha elections after a winning spree of decades, on Monday came down hard on its people for disregarding his contribution to the special status conferred on the Hyderabad Karnataka region.
“Our United Progressive Alliance government amended Article 371(J) and the state government framed the rules. Don't you remember the role we played in conferring special status on the region? Did we consider kula, jaathi, and gotra when we amended Article 371(J)? Have you not been benefited from this Article? Have your sons and relatives not got employment and admissions in professional courses? If you have no appreciation for a big contribution like this, what do you care for?” he demanded, addressing a function organised in Sedam town to thank the voters for giving him a lead in the Assembly segment of the constituency.
As for development work, the veteran Congress leader said that he had made sure the region got the sanctions it needed at the national level and Dr Sharanprakash had similarly taken care of things in the state. “But some people have misled you by sowing seeds of poison in the name of caste, religion and Pakistan,” Mr Kharge regretted.
Chiding the youth for “blindly supporting” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Kharge said that they needed to be educated on issues such as who fought for freedom, who developed the nation, who brought in a green revolution, white revolution and so on.
“A defeat is a defeat. But the people are suspicious about the electronic voting machines (EVMs) not only in Kalaburagi, but in other places too and are alleging that they have been tampered with. I ask Dr Patil to see that a suitable inquiry is conducted into the issue,” he added.
Refuses comment
As for some of the comments made by his political opponents. he refused to comment, saying, “I have demonstrated my ability by leading a group of just 40 MPs against the 400 MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the floor of the Lok Sabha. When I was not scared of them in the Parliament, why I should I react to the comments of some petty leaders?”
