Siddaramaiah Questions Bommai’s Contributions to Shiggaon
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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (Photo: By Arrangement)
Shiggaon: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah entered the campaign trail in Shiggaon on Monday, focusing his criticisms on BJP leaders, particularly former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and questioning Bommai’s contributions to the constituency.
Bommai represented Shiggaon as an MLA four times and recently resigned in 2024 after being elected MP of Haveri. In the by-election, BJP has fielded Bommai’s son, Bharath Bommai, as its candidate.
Siddaramaiah, speaking in Hulagora village, launched strong criticisms of Bommai. He also emphasized that a Congress victory in Shiggaon, Sandur, and Channapatna would give him "more strength."
The Chief Minister criticized Basavaraj Bommai, accusing his government of corruption even during the pandemic.
“Bommai’s administration accepted bribes to document the deceased,” he said urging people to defeat Bommai’s son, Bharat.
He appealed to voters to support Congress candidate Pathan, a grassroots candidate, over BJP’s Bharath, the grandson of former Chief Minister SR Bommai and son of former CM Basavaraj Bommai.
Acknowledging his strong bond with former MLA and Congress leader Azempeer Khadri, Siddaramaiah mentioned Khadri’s decision to support Pathan out of respect for their friendship.
Khadri, who had initially planned to run as an independent, withdrew his nomination after requests from Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
"Khadri is someone I hold in very high regard. He was willing to give up his legislative seat for me. When I lost and Khadri won, he himself came forward, prepared to relinquish his seat on my behalf. That is the depth of our friendship. Respecting my request, he has withdrawn his nomination and is now working wholeheartedly to support Pathan’s victory," Siddaramaiah said.
He urged people in Shiggaon, Sandur, and Channapatna to support Congress in the by-elections, stating, “If Congress wins in these constituencies, it will give me more strength.”
Siddaramaiah questioned Bommai’s record in Shiggaon, asking, “What have you given to your constituency, Mr. Bommai? As Agriculture Minister, Home Minister, and Chief Minister, what have you contributed? Even as CM, why did you fail to build a single house for the people?”
He criticized the BJP's stance on loan waivers for farmers.
“When Yediyurappa was Chief Minister, he said, ‘We do not have a printing machine to waive off loans.’ Even after Bommai became CM, he failed to waive farmers’ loans. With what face are they asking for farmers’ votes now?” he questioned.
Siddaramaiah claimed that BJP has little to offer but empty promises. “While in power, they did nothing but exploit the state. They have no real achievements to present to the public about helping the backward classes, Dalits, women, or the poor. If they had done something meaningful, they would not have to rely solely on lies,” he said.
On the Waqf land issue, Siddaramaiah highlighted that notices to vacate Waqf lands had been issued under the administrations of Yediyurappa, Bommai, and Kumaraswamy.
“I have ordered the withdrawal of all these notices, ensuring no farmer will be evicted. Yet, they (the opposition) continue to protest. Do they have any sense of dignity?” he questioned.
The Chief Minister also criticized Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of misleading the public about Congress’s guarantee schemes.
“Our government has implemented all five guarantees within eight months. But what about ‘Achhe Din,’ which Modiji promised?” he asked, pointing to BJP’s unfulfilled promises on black money, job creation, and farmers’ income.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Principal Correspondent with Deccan Chronicle, specializes in covering Coastal and North Karnataka districts. His expertise lies in Political Analysis, and he holds a profound interest in human interest stories, history and culture. Offering extensive coverage, Gururaj explores various facets, including politics, environment, archaeology, civic issues, education as well as crime.
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