From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Basavakalyan (Bidar), Mar 7: The list of Congress candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls from Karnataka will be released in the next 2 to 3 days, indicated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday.

Speaking to media persons at the Basavakalyan helipad in Bidar district, he said the Congress party’s Central Election Committee is meeting in Delhi on Thursday evening and the names of candidates is likely to be finalized.

Answering questions, he said there are definite clues on the identity of the person who left the bag with explosives at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, which resulted in injuries to 10 persons, and mentioned that police are on the lookout for the culprit.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the City Crime Branch (CCB) police are investigating. There will be a breakthrough soon, he said.

The Chief Minister said the Deputy Commissioners of the districts have already been provided with Rs 50 crore each for meeting the drinking water requirements in view of the drought conditions. If necessary more funds will be released, he said.

Asked about Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa’s demand for a Dalit at the Chief Minister, he said the minister has reiterated what was propounded by Dr B R Ambedkar and felt Dalits must have a share in the power.

CM felicitated by Sharanas, Lingyat Seers

The Chief Minister was felicitated by 160 Sharana Swamijis and Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mutt seers in Basavakalyan for the State Government’s historic decision of declaring Basavanna as Karnataka’s Cultural Icon.

Vishwa Basava Dharama Trust, Anubhava Mantap-Basavakalyan, Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha and the Federation of Lingayat Mutt Swamijis had organised the felicitation.

Sri Jagadguru Siddarajayogindra Mahaswamiji of Moorusaavira Mutt Hubballi presided. Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha president and MLA Shamanoor Shivashankarappa inaugurated the celebration.