From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Shivamogga, Oct 29: With the countdown starting for Karnataka’s ambitious Global Investors Meet-2022 in Bengaluru from November 2 that is expected to bring Rs 5 lakh crore investment, KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar has thrown a challenge to senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and former minister K S Eshwarappa to bring industries to their home district of Shivamogga and ensure jobs to local youth.

Speaking to media persons in Shivamogga on Saturday, he said the ruling BJP has spoiled the peaceful atmosphere of entire Shivamogga district. “I challenge both the senior BJP leaders from the district to bring industries with investment of Rs 5,000 crore and ensure that local youth get jobs,’’ he said.

Shivakumar asked the people of Shivamogga to understand what has been done to the district and said the people of the entire Malnad region are suffering due to restrictions imposed under the Forest Act and were facing severe problems pertaining to Sharavathy river, Western Ghats issue and the arecanut crisis.

There is no protection to the people, he said announcing that the KPCC has constituted a committee headed by local leader Ramesh Hegde to study the problems of the district and submit a report within a month, he said and declared that the party will take steps to protect the interests of the people and farmers.

The KPCC Chief said the atmosphere in Shivamogga and in other parts of Karnataka is turning in favour of the Congress. “We are expecting a situation similar to 1999 when BJP leaders suffered major electoral reverses,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said the newly elected AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge will be visiting the State on November 6 and a preliminary meeting to decide the preparations and arrangements to welcome him will be held.

The election of a veteran leader like Kharge with a vast experience of 50 years in politics has given a big boost to the State Congress and it will definitely help the party, he said.

Answering questions on the comments by BJP leaders that Congress party is a divided house, Shivakumar said: ``Let them first worry about their own party. There are 12 doors and as many factions in BJP,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said the party will decide on the list of candidates in the next four to five days. “We are engaged in our own exercises,’’ he said promising to give details soon.