Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Feb 18: Former deputy chairman of Karnataka legislative council, V R Sudarshan, accused the central government of failing to draw up any plans for decentralization of powers. At the same time, he said that the BJP government has been busy misleading the people by making false claims.

Speaking at a public meeting held at B C Road here on Wednesday February 17, Sudarshan said that the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh, driven by the slogan, 'hunger-free India', had provided people-friendly governance. He said that the Modi government has no other programme other than claiming it to be driven by the idealogy of rooting out Congress. He blamed the central government of indulgingin malicious campaigning and of not having any regard for the democratic system of administration.

"During the last two and half years, the state government, under the leadership of Siddaramaiah, has succeeded in successfully launching a number of welfare and development-oriented programmes. During the BJP regime, zilla and taluk panchayats had miserably failed to deliver benefits of government schemes to the common people. BJP does not have any concern for the ordinary citizens. Therefore, I call upon everyone of you to upport Congress in the coming elections," he said.

Sudarshan claimed that Congress had met 100 out of 165 electoral promises it had made last time, adding that the party is committed to set right follies if any in its administration, and provide efficient rule during the remaining term of 30 months. Saying that the result of the recent bypoll will not have any bearing on the zilla and taluk panchayat results, he stated that the party's state committee president and chief minister have responded to the bypoll outcome by saying that it is a warning bell for the government.

MLC, Ivan D'Souza, in his address, ridiculed the Modi government of rising to power through malicious propaganda, and spending time doing 'baath' but nothing else.

Dakshina Kannada district in-charge president, B Ramanath Rai, who presided over the meeting, said that the state government is committed to meet the promises it has made in the election manifesto. Stressing that the government is committed to strengthen panchayat institutions, he called upon the people to vote for Congress in the taluk and zilla panchayat elections to enable it to undertake more development programmes.

In-charge district Congress president, Kodijal Ibrahim, also addressed the gathering. Vice president, B H Khader, deputy mayor of Mangalore city corporation, Purushotham Chitrapur, minorities central committee president, K S M Masood, former city mayors, Shashidhar Hegde and Ashraf, district youth Congress president, Mithun Rai, local municipal president, Vasanti Chandappa, and a number of other party leaders were present at the dais.

Bantwal Urban Development Authority chairman, Pius Rodrigues, welcomed. Municipal councilor, Sadashiva Bangera, proposed vote of thanks. Rajiv Kakkepadavu compered the programme.

Congress candidates for taluk and zilla panchayat elections from the taluk were seated near the dais. Before the programme, 'Gaana Sudha' team rendered a programme of patriotic songs.