Dismissing rumours about early polls in the State, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday categorically said that the Legislative Assembly elections would be held in April–May 2018 as scheduled.
Addressing the newly appointed Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office-bearers here, the Chief Minister alleged that the Opposition BJP was trying to spread rumours about early elections after having become “jittery” over the good work being done by All India Congress Committee (AICC) office-bearers in Karnataka.
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“Do not pay heed to these rumours. Elections will be held as per schedule and there should not be any confusion about this. This has also been brought to the notice of high command,” he said after felicitating the new office-bearers.
“We will face the elections with our development track record achieved in the last four years.”
Challenging the BJP to come out for a public debate on the achievements of the State and Union governments, Mr. Siddaramaiah called upon the office-bearers to take up door-to-door visits and speak to people about the government’s development programmes.
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“The BJP is blowing its trumpet without any achievements. When we have successfully implemented several development programmes, let us speak about them with the people,” he said.
Coming down heavily on the BJP for making “false allegations” against the government, he said, “They are also politicising the issue of starting Indira canteens. It has become a habit for them as elections are nearing. Speak about the government’s programmes by thumping your chest as we have done nothing for which you have to lose confidence.”
“When in power, the BJP did nothing for Dalits. Now they are doing the drama of visiting Dalit’s houses. They do not have genuine concern,” he said, taking a dig at BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa.
Conventions in districts
KPCC president G. Parameshwara said the office-bearers’ meeting had resolved to hold mega conventions of the party in all districts where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “failures” would be projected.
A special campaign ‘Congress Nadige Marali Janara Balige’ will be taken up to showcase the party’s achievements. AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi would participate in a mega convention to be held in Raichur on August 4, he added.