MLC poll candidates outline plans for public welfare

Ambedkar recognised by his caste; not by his knowledge: Bhagwan

Candidates for the elections to the Legislative Council from South Graduates constituency, on Wednesday, expressed confidence of winning the poll and assured to work for the welfare of the people and the state, if elected.

During an interaction with journalists organised by Mysore District Journalists’ Association (MDJA), Dr H N Ravindra of Congress, K T Srikantegowda of JD(S), M V Ravishankar of BJP and Independent candidate writer K S Bhagwan expressed their views. Bhagwan, who served for four decades in the University of Mysore (UoM), said, he decided to contest the election for the sake of the people, particularly the deprived classes, and bring them to the mainstream of society. 

Bhagwan said, “I am not in favour of any political party. But, I want to serve the people and society. I was involved in continuous fight for the welfare of dalits, farmers and women. I want to inculcate scientific temperance among the people. People are facing many problems, but the major political parties are reluctant to resolve them. All political parties are same.”

Bhagwan said, considering the knowledge of B R Ambedkar, the United Nations has declared his birthday as ‘World Knowledge Day’, while people were only looking at his caste. “Due to the negligence of governments, police personnel and government employees are preparing to observe a protest,” he said. Dr H N Ravindra said, he will work to constitute a ‘Graduates Commission’ and to conduct census of graduates, if elected as an MLC. 

According to him, constituting the commission and conducting a census will help utilise available human resources in an effective manner. “As I have served in the government sector, I am aware of the sufferings of government employees. The BJP government constituted G Kumar Nayak report to resolve teachers’ salary issue but, failed to implement its recommendations,” he pointed out.

JD(S) candidate Srikantegowda said, six government medical colleges were sanctioned during the JD(S) and BJP coalition government.

He accused the Congress candidate Ravindra of misleading the voters by stating that the Congress took measures to establish medical colleges. “Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy contributed immensely for the welfare of teachers,” he added.

BJP candidate M V Ravishankar said that he was aware of the grievances of the teaching community. Expressing confidence over his victory he said, the BJP has enrolled many new voters and 40% of the voters would support him. Taking exception to the state government’s move of making one-year compulsory service in rural region for medical professionals mandatory, Ravishankar said, doctors wee ready to serve in villages but, before that the government should ensure basic facilities.