Govt is committed to support Kambala: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Mangaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the state government is committed to supporting Kambala in Karnataka and that financial assistance will be provided for organising Kambala events.

Speaking at the 15th year Mudooru–Padooru Jodukare Kambala held at Koodibail in Navoor village of Bantwal taluk on Saturday, he said he is making sincere efforts as Chief Minister to bring meaningful changes in society.

The government is working in favour of the poor, labourers and women, he said.

He stressed that people from the most marginalised sections should be brought into the mainstream. The government’s efforts are aimed at empowering weaker sections of society, he added. “To ensure that the last person in society comes into the mainstream and that the weaker sections gain strength, we have introduced five guarantee schemes,” he said, reiterating that the Congress will return to power in 2028.

The Chief Minister said Kambala is a popular traditional sport and that Kambala organisers have expressed interest in holding the event in Mysuru as well. He said Kambala transcends caste and religion and is organised by people from all communities. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that Kambala is protected and preserved,” he said.

“People of Mangaluru are known for their adventurous spirit. There is a need to popularise Kambala among the younger generation,” he added.

Referring to the state’s financial position, Siddaramaiah said the government had not faced any financial crisis between 2013 and 2018 and would not face one in the future either.

He described the period between 2013 and 2018 as a “golden era” of development, during which former minister B Ramanath Rai implemented development works worth about Rs 5,000 crore in Bantwal constituency. The Chief Minister said Ramanath Rai should not have lost the election and termed his defeat as unjust. He expressed confidence that Rai would contest the election again in 2028 and appealed to party workers to ensure his victory with the highest margin.

MLAs T D Rajegowda and Ashok Rai, MLC Ivan D'Souza and others were present.

Funds for Bantwal stadium

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that funds will be released for the taluk stadium in Bantwal in the next financial year.

Earlier, B Ramanath Rai appealed to the Chief Minister to release funds in phases for the construction of the taluk stadium. He said that 10 acres of land has been identified at Benjanapadavu for the project. The Chief Minister had earlier sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the stadium, but the work could not be taken up. Rai urged the CM to release the amount in a phased manner to facilitate the construction of the stadium.