Inchara Udupi
Additional Pics by Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Feb 13: Hitting out at senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary who recently embarassed his party with a series of opinions at a meet and also former chief minister S M Krishna, the party's senior leader Dr Veerappa Moily on Saturday February 13 said that there was 'no need to given any importance to the opinions of aged leaders'.
Addressing a press meet at Kaup Congress office here, Moily said, "Chief minister Siddaramaiah is giving efficient administration. There is no need to attach much importance to the opinions of aged leaders like Janardhan Poojary and S M Krishna. It is common for people to talk as they get older. We are not going to take it seriously.
"It is the Congress that initiated all the different kinds of development works in the coastal region. But thereafter, it was BJP who benfitted from the works started by Congress. BJP's contribution to the development of the coastal region as well as the state and the country is zero," he said.
"Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, under the leadership of Ramanath Rai and Vinay Kumar Sorake, are developing well. Congress is confident of winning a majority of seats in the zilla and taluk panchayat elections in both the districts," he added.
"Though petroleum products are at low prices in the international market, the Narendra Modi-led union government is not passing on the benefits to the consumers. If it passes on the benefit of low crude oil prices to the consumers and citizens directly, it would be possible to control inflation within half an hour," he claimed.
"Siddaramaiah is an able chief minister for Karnataka. He has been able to stabilize the financial condition of the state and has introduced many people-friendly programmes and schemes to make Karnataka hunger-free and debt-free. This government has brought about a revolution in the Panchayat Raj system and increased the funds for zilla and taluk panchayats by Rs 10 crore to Rs 15 crore. Though the union government has spent crores and crores on Swachch Bharat Mission, it is Karnataka that has won the Nairmalya award for cleanliness. Hence, this time, under the leadership of Siddaramaiah, Congress is confident of winning 25 out of 30 zilla panchayats and 90 percent of the taluk panchayats," he said.
"There is inflation because the union government is not passing on the benefits of reduction in international crude oil prices to consumers. People's money is being snatched and someone else is reaping the benefit," he added.
He also said that Congress party is the 'sculptor' of modern India. "The BJP-led government which has done nothing in the past two years is questioning the achievements of Congress in the past 60 years. It is Congress which paved the way for India's development through development of industries, women empowerment, provision of basic amenities, education and information technology.
Urban development minister and Udupi district in-charge Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLA U R Sabhapati, Kaup Congress block president Naveenchandra Shetty, party leaders Diwakar Shetty, Sarasu D Bangera and others were present.
Congress women's convention
Addressing a Congress women's convention in Udupi the same day, Veerappa Moily said, "The concept of Panchayat Raj was a dream of Jawaharlal Nehru. The JD(S) and BJP spoiled the self-reliance of villages. It is Sonia Gandhi who fought for 50 percent reservation for women in the panchayats. The Congress party has strived to build strong and stable Panchayat Raj.
"We will try to re-establish the stronghold of the Congress party in the upcoming taluk and zilla panchayat elections. We are confident of winning a majority of seats," he added.
"Congress brought about regularization of unauthorised constructions through akrama-sakrama. BJP has only grabbed land, it does not know to give land.
"Banks have become bankrupt under the BJP-led union government and the country's economic condition is very poor. Though the international market price of crude oil has reduced, the Indian government has not reduced petroleum prices. BJP is trying to destablize the Congress government in the state. In the upcoming elections BJP should not get any opportunity to win and Congress should win by majority," he told the party workers.
Congress MLC and actress Jayamala said, "Today, women have reached various positions of power and are involved in various works. Congress has brought about a change in Panchayat Raj system and given 50 percent reservation for women. Though the government has implemented various programmes for the welfare of the people, they are not effectively reaching the people because of the involvement of middle people. 'Anna Bhagya' is a successful programme and those who oppose it should contemplate and realize that it has helped the poor.
"The Congress has also identified the problems facing transgenders and introduced various porgrammes for them. The Siddaramaiah government is working towards the development of the downtrodden and the underprivilged and striving to bring them to the mainstream by effectively implementing various programmes. In the upcoming elections BJP should not be given any opportunity to win any seat," she said.
Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes said, "The state government has effectively implemented the Ramesh Kumar committee report on Panchayat Raj. An effective Panchayat Raj system will help in solving problems at the panchayat levels rather than having to bring them to the state level. This will also help in the economic development of panchayats."
Urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said, "Indira Gandhi had emphasized on the empowerment of women and introduced various programmes. She herself was an inspiration to empowerment of women. What moral right does former CM Yeddyurappa or BJP have to seek votes?"