From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 30: AICC General Secretary and State Congress party in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has thanked the voters of Karnataka and expressed his gratitude for their ``blessings, foresight and faith’’ reposed in the Congress Party in the Local Body Elections.

``The Congress party records special accolades for all the Congress workers and leaders, who reached out to the masses and are the guiding light of party’s victory,’’ he said in a statement.

Congress party has exhibited a stupendous performance winning large number of seats in 58 Urban Local Bodies by winning in 500 Wards, against 435 won by the ruling BJP while JD(S) victory was limited to 45 Wards only, he said.

``It is evident from recent by-election results that people are waiting to throw out the illegitimate and corrupt BJP Government that has eclipsed progress and paralysed governance,’’ Surjewala said.

The AICC General Secretary said the vote share in these Local Body Polls also indicate a huge slide in the popularity of BJP in the State. ``The vote share of Congress came up to 42.06% againt BJP and JD(S) at 36.9% and 3.8% respectively.

At a time when the BJP ruled Karnataka as indeed the country is faced with many a crisis situation, the Congress leader said successive election results off late have clearly established that the voters care most about price rise, falling incomes, jobs, rampant corruption and BJP government’s apathy towards public welfare.

``Manufactured issues like anti-conversion laws and management of temples are not what people are going to be taken in with. Progressive Kannadigasrealise that such issues are meant to serve no one but divisive forces. Every second that the spurious and corrupt Bommai Government continues, it is an anathema to development and progress,’’ he said.

Surjewala said ``I would also congratulate DK Shivkumar, KPCC President, Siddaramaih, CLP leader, our MLA’s and all senior leaders and former ministers, who worked hard to take the message of the party to every doorstep. Their continued hard work and unity in action will bring the Congress back to Power in the state and usher in anew era of putting Karnataka as number one state in development.’’