'Poll results will change political scenario in State'

Former chief minister and Janata Dal (Secular) State unit president H D Kumaraswamy, on Tuesday, said that results of elections to Legislative Council from local bodies segments, scheduled to be held on December 27, will change political scenario in the State.

Addressing party workers at Sa Ra Convention Hall here, Kumaraswamy said, “As both the State and Central governments have failed to address farmers issues, the JD(S) will give relief to farmers by next Sankranti.”

For this, Kumaraswamy appealed to the workers to ensure party’s victory in at least 15 constituencies to change the political scenario in the State. Barring Ballari district, where no candidate is fielded, the party has decided to contest on its own in 19 constituencies against 25 constituencies in total.

Even though farmers are struggling, national parties (BJP and Congress) are least bothered to address their issues or motivate them. No farmer in the State is leading a peaceful life.

On Congress government being at the helm in the State, he said, gram panchayat members were unhappy with the government, as no funds were sanctioned to the local bodies to take up development works. The government has failed to give honorarium to the GP members, he condemned.

Quoting the recent speech of Periyapatna MLA K Venkatesh, who ridiculed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the latter’s presence for people losing faith in him, besides advising the chief minister to take a cue from his predecessors in nurturing constituencies, Kumaraswamy said, “at least now, he (CM) should concentrate on developing his constituency Varuna. When CM has failed to develop his home district, how can we expect development of the State?”

He said, “During my tenure as chief minister, I had sanctioned Rs 1 crore towards the development of each zilla panchayat constituency in the State. Though the Congress government has earmarked Rs 1.59 lakh crore for the local bodies, it has failed to provide sufficient funds. The government is yet to pay Rs 8,000 crore to a Delhi-based company towards drinking water projects in the State.”

“JD(S) is the only party that can strengthen local bodies like GP, TP and ZP,” claimed Kumaraswamy. He also campaigned on behalf of the party’s nominee from Mysore-Chamarajanagar seat and sitting MLC S Nagaraj (Sandesh Nagaraj).

Earlier, speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said, the party supremo H D Devegowda would finalise and release candidates list in Bengaluru. The party has no rebel candidates. This time, the party has decided to promote new faces and ticket will be given to youngsters, he said. MLAs G T Devegowda, Chikkamadu and Sa Ra Mahesh, former ZP president Sunitha Veerappagowda, former Mayor R Lingappa and others were present.