Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Dec 20: Shivamogga MP and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday December 20 said that his party BJP was confident of winning 15 out of the 20 seats it was contesting for in the upcoming MLC elections would be held on December 27.

Addressing reporters during his visit to Udupi on Sunday to campaign for the MLC polls, Yeddyurappa said, "BJP will win 15 seats in the MLC elections across the state, as half of the voters are supporters of BJP. There is not much fight between the candidates in the Dakshina Kannada-Udupi constituency. We are making all-out efforts to win by majority throughout the state."

Criticising the Congress-led state government, he said, "People of rural areas are angry with the state government. There has been no development in gram panchayat and taluk panchayat levels. Even 9 months after the budget, rural development has not been given importance.

"In the progress review meeting report, chief minister Siddaramaiah claimed that there has been 60-70 percent development in the state in 2015-2016, but in reality, not more than 30 percent of the development works have been taken up. In aspects like sanitation and water supply, there has been only 3.2 percent of development, and in areas like park development, lake development, anganwady, hostel and so, the progress is zero," he claimed.

"Rs 11,772 crore had been sanctioned for the development of SC/ST in the budget, but only Rs 2,248 crore, that is just 24 percent of funds have been spent. Rs 451 crore was sanctioned for all rural areas under Dr B R Ambedkar Development Corporation, but not a single paise has been released. The Suvarna Gram Yojana was renamed as Vikasa Yojana and Rs 75 crore was sanctioned for each village, but so far no development work has started," he added.

"Being the finance minister, the CM has failed to implement the budget even after nine months of presenting it. All in all, development has taken a backseat in the state," he said.

Yeddyurappa further added, "Drought has hit Kalaburagi and other places and people are suffering. As many as 50 reservoirs in the state have gone dry and there is power shortage also. The entire state is facing problems.

"Meanwhile, the CM is planning to give permission to open 1,700 bars, but vacancies in hospitals and schools are yet to be filled," he pointed out.

To a question on the National Herald case in which Congress national president Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi and others are named, he said, "Everyone should appear in the court when there is summons. There is no point in blaming the Prime Minister for everything. If you do not appear in court, it is as if you do not have faith in the judiciary."

To a question on the possibility of him being chosen as the BJP state president as rumoured, Yeddyurappa said, "It is left to the national president of BJP and the high command to decide. Whatever be the decision, I will respect it."

MP Shobha Karandlaje, former MLA Lalaji Mendon, Yashpal Suvarna, Thingale Vikramarjuna Hegde and others were present.