The former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said he will present a Rs. 2-lakh State budget if the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) is voted to power.
At an election rally here on Friday, Mr. Yeddyurappa promised freebies to different sections of people.
Free education
He said if voted to power, the KJP government would provide free medical and technical education to students from economically weaker sections. He said government schemes such as Bhagyalakshmi and Sandhya Suraksha would be extended to middle-class families, he said.
He promised the opening of a cooperative bank for women. This bank would support women entrepreneurs and self-employment activities. Farm loans up to Rs. 1 lakh would be waived and all farmers aged over 65 would get a monthly pension of Rs. 500, he said.
Mr. Yeddyurappa, who is facing corruption charges, said he would strive to provide corruption-free administration.
He visited places, including Hebballi, in Dharwad and Kalghatagi Assembly constituencies. KJP candidates for the Dharwad Assembly constituency Tavanappa P. Ashtagi and Hubli-Dharwad West constituency Mohan Limbikai accompanied him.
The former Deputy Mayor Bharati Patil joined the KJP on the occasion.
Mr. Yeddyurappa met Nijangouda Patil, who has filed nomination papers as a rebel KJP candidate in Dharwad constituency.
He tried to convince him to withdraw his papers, according to sources.