Mangalore: I did More for Education than Congress and BJP: Kumaraswamy

Pics: Brijesh Garodi / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Jun 8: "Neither Congress nor BJP could do what I did for education in my 20 months as chief minister," said JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy.

He was addressing a press meet at hotel Moti Mahal here on Friday June 8, in the run-up to the MLC election. He visited the district as well as Udupi to campaign for JD(S).

Taking potshots at both Congress and BJP, he said that the amount of works he had undertaken in the field of education during his tenure as the CM was unmatched by both Congress and BJP.

He openly challenged Vishweshara Kageri and D H Shankaramurthy of BJP and said that Shankaramurthy has been claiming that BJP started 119 colleged between 1999 and 2004.

"But in reality, it was I who started the colleges when I was the CM," he said, "During the 20-month coalition rule, it was JD(S) that did everything, but BJP want to take the credit," he said.

Citing an example, he said during his tenure he had introduced subsidy to the tune of Rs 25,000 for engineering students, Rs 75,000 for medical students and Rs 2,000 as honorarium for new graduates in law. "But the BJP government stopped the subsidies," he pointed out.

"Neither BJP nor Congress can pat its own back, as neither has done anything for education," he added.

On the upcoming MLC election, he said the Congress has woken up now specially when it comes to enrolment of graduates. "Oscar Fernandes is now going to institutions asking for votes, when there only two days left for the election," he said.

"But JD(S) began preparations seven-eight months back, and is confident of winning," Kumaraswamy said.

When asked who would be a tough opponent to JD(S), he avoided a direct answer and said both his party candidates, S L Bhoje Gowda and Panchaksharappa for southwest graduates' and and teachers' constituencies, have been working had for the past eight months in enrolling voters. He urged the people to vote for JD(S).

JD(S) MLC Puttanna who was also present said that BJP's proposal to start government English medium schools was good, but the subjects should not all be taught in English. "In this era of globalization, knowledge of English is a must. Let the poor also have access to learn English," he opined.

He further said that the results of this MLC election would be significant and will influence people, as BJP stint over the last couple years had been marred by corruption and Congress was not good enough.

He also criticised the Global Investors' Meet at Bangalore and said that in the name of investments, the BJP was making profits. "The rich will become richer and the poor, poorer. In the first GIM, a lot many job opportunities were promised, but nothing came of it. Hence, this time too, it will turn out to be an empty promise," he said.

Udupi: 'Ruling Govt's Intention is to Make Money, Not Help People'

Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SM)  
     
Udupi, Jun 8: JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday June 8 criticized both Congress and BJP and urged people to vote for JD(s) leaders in the upcoming MLC election.

He said during his tenure as chief minister he tried to bring about reformation and tried to implement most of his plans - both for the rural and urban population.

"I made remarkable improvements in the field of education, starting 160 schools, 500 junior colleges, 1,200 high schools, six medical and six engineering colleges and many polytechnic colleges. Rs 250 crore was invested in various fields. As many as 50,000 teachers were provided employment. Rs 25,000 subsidies were provided to engineering students and Rs 75,000 to medical students under BPO categories. Now this system does not exist," he said.

“Congress and BJP have started blaming each. Instead, both parties should say what have done for the people, graduates and unemployed teachers instead of campaigning by blaming the other party. When the JD(S) government was in power I started many new projects, but after the government changed they were stopped," he said.

"The ruling government’s intention is to make money and not to help the public”, he said.

"BJP minister Kageri said if they win the election 8,000 teachers would be given jobs. Why can't they do it before the election?" he questioned.

He said that BJP's Capt Ganesh Karnik and D H Shankaramurthy were not worthy candidates for the MLC posts, adding that JD(S) candidates would surly win. He also asked the people to vote wisely.

Commenting on the Global Investors' Meet, he said that the BJP government has taken over 7,600 acres of agricultural land but has not built even a single factory. He urged for CBI enquiry into the matter.