BALLARI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cautioned Sandur voters about the potential return of "fear and intimidation" if Janardhan Reddy and team gain control in Ballari.
Campaigning for Congress candidate Annapurna Tukaram in Bannihatti village, Siddaramaiah contrasted the developmental work led by Congress leaders Tukaram and Santosh Lad with what he described as the BJP’s emphasis on "loot, loot, and loot."
Reflecting on past experiences under BJP rule, Siddaramaiah recounted how he was denied a place to speak in Ballari during the election campaign, forced instead to deliver his address from the temple gate.
“To prevent the Reddy brothers from ruining Ballari with illegal mining, I marched from Bengaluru on foot. It was Congress that freed the people of Ballari from fear,” he said. “Even district officials were hesitant to approach then-Chief Minister Yediyurappa during his visit to the district,” he added.
"If Janardhan Reddy and team gain power in Ballari again, the district will once again suffer under fear and intimidation. Do not let this happen. Defeat the BJP and save Ballari," he urged.
Praising Tukaram and Santosh Lad, Siddaramaiah credited them with the progress.
"Every improvement here—from roads, schools, anganwadis, and hospitals to mobile clinics—is thanks to their commitment to progress," he said.
Taking a dig at the BJP, he remarked, “They have returned with bags full of illegal mining money to influence this election. Are you going to fall for their money, or will you stand with Congress, which has brought genuine prosperity to this region?” Siddaramaiah urged voters to “think carefully” and support the Congress’s ongoing efforts for development.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Congress's role in securing Article 371(J) for Kalyana Karnataka, which he said opened educational and employment opportunities for the region’s youth.
“This was possible through the leadership of Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Dharam Singh, and myself,” he said, noting his own efforts to allocate Rs 5,000 crore for the region’s development.
With three and a half years remaining in Congress’s current term, Siddaramaiah reassured voters that his government would continue to uphold welfare programs and the five major guarantees, injecting Rs 56,000 crore directly into citizens' accounts annually.
“Support us, who bring monthly benefits, not those who offer illegal mining money only during elections,” he remarked.
Siddaramaiah emphasized that a victory for Annapoorna Tukaram would be a win for both him and Santosh Lad, urging voters to support Congress for continued development in the district.
