Bangalore, Aug 2 (DHNS): With the by-polls to the five Assembly seats scheduled to be held on August 18, Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah, on Saturday, asserted that the results would not be a referendum either to the State government or to the Opposition.  
 
 He was replying to queries at a media briefing in the city. Substantiating his opinion, Siddaramaiah said that no elections that are being held today are fought in a free and fair manner. Quoting a statement made by Energy Minister K S Eshwarappa after the conclusion of Lok Sabha polls, Siddaramaiah said, “Eshwarappa himself had said that the poll was won through corrupt means.”

Incidentally, BJP has won 19 seats in the polls, he remarked.

Refrring to the power situation in the State, Siddaramaiah demanded a status report from the chief minister. According to a survey, Karnataka stands second in the nation after Andhra Pradesh in power theft. It is alarming, as the situation is akin to the most backward states like Bihar and UP.

He also exhorted the government to release those who have been arrested in the protest at Hanakona recently.

Besides, the government should stop being adamant on acquiring fertile lands in Bellary district for developing an airport.

On a statement made by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sriramulu mocking Opposition parties as ‘barking dogs’, Siddaramaiah said that the people would refer to the the ruling party as ‘rabid dogs’.