Central leaders to join Cong campaign in Karnataka

AICC general secretary Madhusudan Mistri, in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka and AICC secretary Sanjay Nirupam would participate in the programme from tomorrow to July 7 in Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gadag, Belgaum and Hubli-Dharward districts, KPCC President G Parameshwara said.

Parameshwara said he would attend the rallies in these districts with its leaders in the Assembly and Council, Siddaramaiah and Motamma. On July 9, the KPCC Coordination Committee will meet here to decide strategies in its fight against the BJP government and preparations for the coming Assembly polls, he told reporters.

Parameshwara demanded that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa lower taxes on petroleum products and LPG as in West Bengal and ease the burden on consumers, who have been hit hard by recent hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG.

"Yeddyurappa claims the state's coffers are full. He should extend the tax sop to the people," he said.