Congress will win 20 ZPs, says chief minister

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has claimed that Congress will capture power in more than 20 zilla panchayats and a majority of taluk panchayats.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, the chief minister said that people of the State would prefer Congress candidates as the party had always been committed for strengthening the Panchayat Raj system and stood for decentralisation of power. 

More powers
He said that it was during the Congress rule that 73rd amendment was brought to the Constitution to grant more powers to zilla, taluk and gram panchayats.

The party was instrumental in providing 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayat Raj institutions and urban local bodies, the chief minister claimed.

Names to be shortlisted  
When asked about delay in announcement of candidates to Bidar, Raichur and Hebbal constituency bypolls, Siddaramaiah said that the party high command had appointed an observer for selection of candidates and the names would be shortlisted on the basis of the report of the observer.