CM to contest from Chamundeshwari

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified that he would contest from the Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Speaking to media persons at the temporary helipad at NR Pura on Thursday, he insisted that there was no confusion in selecting the constituency. "I have decided to contest from Chamundeshwari," he clarified.

Stating that he arrived in the town to lay foundation stone for various developmental programmes, he said that all the works were taken up after holding discussions with G Parameshwara, S R Patil, Dinesh Gundu Rao and D K Shivakumar.

When asked about JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy's allegations that power was purchased by paying more money, Siddaramaiah replied that a committee was formed under the leadership of D K Shivakumar. "The committee has submitted its report on the issue. There is no hate politics on the issue," he said.

Datta Peetha

Reiterating that the BJP does not have any issue to politicise, Siddaramaiah said he was not worried over their (BJP's) comments. He also said that the government would resolve the Datta Peetha issue legally.

To a query on ban on cow slaughter, the chief minister said that the state has its own power to do what it wants. "It does not matter what the Central government does," he asserted.

"On the other hand, the Centre should help in announcing a special package to arecanut and coconut growers. It is not enough if the Central government says that they would take steps to double the farmers' income," he said and added that the Centre should their words into action.

New taluk in Jan

Based on the report of the committees formed to decide on the new taluks, 50 new taluks have been announced and they will come into effect from January 1.

Clarifying that there was no mention of Kalasa hobli in the report submitted by the committee, Siddaramaiah said Kalasa could not be incorporated as it was not there in the list prepared by the committees.