Cong will sweep ULB polls says confident Rao

KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao expressed confidence that the Congress would secure the majority vote in the urban local body (ULB) elections slated for August 31; across the state.

Rao, who was in Belagavi to campaign ahead of the ULB polls, told reporters on Sunday, that though Congress failed to win the Assembly polls, he had not received any complaints of maladministration or lack of development during the Siddaramaiah-led Congress regime. Rao visited Belagavi for the first time after taking over as KPCC chief.

Galvanising party

"We want to galvanise the party at the block level, enrol new members and strengthen Congress before the Parliamentary polls in 2019. Party workers who actively and creatively engage in efforts to defeat the BJP will be rewarded with key posts," he announced.

Coalition doing well

As a coalition partner, Congress was extending total support to the Kumaraswamy-led government, especially on the crop loan waiver issue. Minor differences within the coalition government would be addressed by the Coalition Coordination Committee Chief Siddaramaiah, Rao added.

Rao said, based on the performance evaluation, current ministers could be changed after two years. He hinted that in filling up the six vacant ministerial posts, MLAs from the northern Karnataka would be given preference.

Slams BJP

Slamming the opposition, Gundu Rao said BJP leaders were unable to digest the fact they were out of power. "BJP leaders foster hatred and misguide people. The poll promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are not fulfilled. The Centre has failed to create jobs," he alleged.

Centre ignored Kodagu

"The Centre has not come to the rescue of the flood-affected in Kodagu district. Though Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman visited the district, the Centre has not announced any relief packages for victims," Rao said adding; atrocities against Dalits and women are also rising alarmingly.