From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, Feb 25: A day after meeting former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi along with senior party leader in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge, Congress Opposition leaders in Assembly and Council Siddaramaiah and BK Hariprasad, KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar as AICC General Secretary and State party in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar asserted at a joint news conference that there was complete unity in the State party and confidently predicted that the Congress will return to power in Karnataka.

“There are no differences among Congress leaders and we are all working together. BJP is trying to build fake narrative that there are differences among us and this is maximum they can achieve. In reality, all Congress leaders are working together. We believe in internal democracy and the opinion of everyone is valued. Each may have different opinion on few issues and this is what we call democracy. Our motive is to work for the interests of people. More than the need to come to power, we want to save our State and Constitution from BJP,” the two top State Congress leader declared.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar said: “Rahul Gandhi may have got message about the unity in Congress leadership in Karnataka. He said that he has received information that Congress will definitely come back to power as all the leaders including KPCC President, CLP leader and other senior leaders are working together.”

The two State Congress leaders lambasted the ruling BJP in Karnataka and said: “BJP leaders have no respect or love for our Country. Though Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa has insulted our National Flag,” he has not been dismissed from the cabinet. Even BJP National President J P Nadda condemned Eshwarappa’s statement and said the Congress is right in protesting,” the said and criticized Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel for “justifying” Eshwarappa’s comments.

They charged that Eshwarappa took lead in the funeral procession of Bajrang Dal activist in Shivamogga. His own BJP government had imposed 144 Section and he violated it being a minister.

A criminal case should have been filed against Eshwarappa for violating Section 144 but the government is silent. The Home Minister, who is also from Shivamogga is defending Eshwarappa. Hence we met Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to submit our petition to dismiss Eshwarappa.

According to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the Congress leaders said anyone insulting our National flag can be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine or with both.

There is a general election coming up in the country next year. The public opinion and political atmosphere are indicates a massive victory for Congress party. “BJP came to power in the State because of Operational Kamala and as usual it formed an unholy government. This is the most corrupt and inefficient government,” they said.

“The Bommai Government failed to even manage Covid-19 pandemic properly and is responsible for thousands of deaths in the 2nd wave. This is a zero development government,’’ the Congress leaders said.

Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief mentioned that Rahul Gandhi invited 16 senior leaders to Delhi and held a meeting. He briefed about the action plan for next coming months to win the elections. He has assured to extend his complete support to bring back Congress to power in Karnataka.

Mekedatu Padayatra

Siddaramaiah said the Congress party government had prepared detailed project report of Mekedatu project and submitted to Central Water Commission in 2017.

They had asked some information from the government. When there was coalition government, DK Shivakumar who was Major irrigation minister, submitted a revised project report. Only environmental clearance is pending.

“BJP grabbed power in 2019 and BS Yediyurappa became Chief Minister for two years and then Basavaraj Bommai is there since last 7 months, and yet this double engine government has failed to get the clearance,’’ he said.

Mekedatu is a drinking water project. As much as 67 TMC of excess water which flows to the sea during rainy season will be stored and distributed to people of Bengaluru and surrounding areas for drinking purpose. About 400 MW of electricity can also be generated, Siddaramaiah said.

About 25% of people in Bengaluru do not have access to Cauvery water. If Mekedatu project is implemented, there will be no problem to access drinking water for people of Bengaluru for next 50 years.

“Our Padayatre is for demanding implementation of pro-people Mekedatu project. This is not a political rally and so we invite all NGOs, labour organisations, resident welfare associations, farmers and others to join us in the protest. We had initially launched the padayatre on January 9 and continued for 4 days. As third wave of Covid had begun, we called off the protest in Ramanagara in the interest of people,” Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah said.

Shivakumar said the padayatra is being resumed from Ramanagara. So we have decided to restart from February 27 and continue till March 3. We will conclude the padayatra after organising a meet in National College ground on March 3, he delared.

This project will help improve ground water table, access drinking water and generate electricity. This will also reduce the pressure on Kabini, KRS, Hemavathi and Harangi. When there is less water during summer, we can release water from Mekedatu. There will no problem caused to Tamil Nadu. They are creating the issue for political reasons. This will benefit both the States.

“We are ready to give land of same size to compensate the loss of forest due to submergence. It is the responsibility of Central government to make all arrangements for the safe return of students from Ukraine. I have spoken with the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi about this,” the KPCC Chief added.