Belagavi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while addressing the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party expressed confidence in the continuous support of the people to the Congress and emphasized the government’s commitment to inclusive development. Stating that there is sufficient budget for development in the province, he asked the MPs to present the government’s achievements with courage and to answer the opposition’s allegations with facts.
“The people are with us now, they will be with us tomorrow, they will stand with us in the upcoming elections,” he said.
Siddaramaiah highlighted the continuous development across the state under the Congress government, asking the MLAs to present factual records and data boldly.
Referring to regional disparities, the Chief Minister alleged that the BJP neglected North Karnataka during its nine-year rule.
Citing the Nanjundappa report, he noted that 116 out of 176 backward taluks are in North Karnataka and criticized the BJP for failing to implement measures to address this imbalance. He also recalled how BJP veteran LK Advani, during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister, rejected the constitutional amendment giving special status to the Kalyan Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka) region under Article 371 (J).
“The Congress government is the one fighting for special status, drafting the necessary laws and ensuring their implementation. Our government has also set up the newly formed Govinda Rao Committee,” Siddaramaiah said.
He criticized the BJP, particularly on the Waqf property issue, accusing it of politicizing the matter. He pointed out that during the tenure of BJP leaders BS Yeddyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, notices were issued to remove encroachments on Waqf property. He questioned the BJP’s moral authority on the issue, citing the Supreme Court verdict, “Once a waqf property, always a waqf property.”
Responding to the BJP’s demand for a CBI probe into various cases in the state, Siddaramaiah accused the party of hypocrisy. He recalled that during the previous tenure of the Congress, the government had referred several cases for CBI investigation, none of which resulted in conviction. In contrast, the BJP failed to authorize a single CBI inquiry at the request of the Congress when it was in power. Quoting former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Siddaramaiah remarked that the BJP’s new faith in the CBI was ironic, citing his earlier criticism of the agency as a “thieves-saving institution”.
“The BJP has suffered a moral shock. Our victory in all the three by-elections, in which the BJP won two seats won earlier, is a clear proof that the people of the state have rejected the BJP. “Despite series of false allegations and negative propaganda against me and our government, the people have dismissed all of them and stood with us,” he said.
Reflecting on the Congress’ development initiatives, Siddaramaiah pointed out several important projects.
The Chief Minister has also requested the Ministers and MPs to increase public relations in their constituencies, solve local problems and organize public relations meetings to connect with the people. He encouraged the legislators to give priority to development and address the grievances of the people promptly, assuring them of adequate funds.