Daijiworld Media Network – Ramnagar (MS)
Ramnagar, Jan 8: Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar on Saturday January 8 asserted that the Congress will hold the contentious padayatra on Mekedatu issue at any cost, but will at the same time follow Covid guidelines issued by the government.
Speaking to scribes in the city, leader of opposition and former chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "We will follow Covid guidelines during padayatra. Why has the government imposed prohibitory orders only in Ramnagar? This means that the government is trying to prevent us from holding the padayatra.
"The delay in implementation of Mekedatu project has occurred due to BJP government. Why have they not started work when everything is clear? Why they have not put pressure on the union government? BJP government is trying to give political colour to the issue. Instead of finding fault with others, let them first introspect themselves," he said.
"What kind of talks is the BJP government holding now, when it did not do anything in the past two-and-a-half years? Govind Karjol is engaging in false propaganda and trying to mislead the people of Karnataka. If they impose prohibitory orders we will take padayatra in groups of five people," he said.
Reacting to the statement of H D Kumaraswamy, who said that they will not protest by being adamant, Siddaramaiah said, "He is speaking out of frustration. I will not give any reaction to his statement."
Responding to the statement of Govind Karjol that Congress can hold padayatra with 15 to 20 people, Siddaramaiah said, “We will hold padayatra. Let those who are running the government do whatever they want. If they want to arrest us, let them. We will follow Covid guidelines. Let us see what the ruling BJP government will do. We will let you know after their action. Government has slapped 144 section just to create chaos. Govind Karjol says that they will allow us if we hold padayatra with 15 people. Is it not violation of section 144?"
Siddaramaiah also said that he has bought three new pairs of shoes for the padayatra and showed one of the pairs he was wearing to the camera of scribes.
KPCC president D K Shivakumar said, "Padayatra is a huge programme for resolving the issue of water. We do not have a single person in ICU due to coronavirus infection. Not even one person has died. Ruling BJP government is giving false numbers of infections in order to prevent our padayatra. They have already informed the officers concerned to slap cases on us. Let them trouble us as much as they want.
"BJP did not help farmers and commoners during coronavirus first and second wave as much as Congress did. They have done corruption with regards to the dead bodies, medicines and compensation amounts. This is 40% commission government. They want to silence us in the fear that we will tell the public about the truth," he said.
Reacting to the statement of BJP that Mekedatu padayatra is political gimmick of BJP, Shivakumar retorded sarcastically, "BJP consists of brave men. We are all women and eunuchs. We have worn sarees and are scared of the men in BJP. You people have heard who said in the presence of chief minister about being manly (taunting minister Ashwath Narayan).
"If any issue is caused during the padayatra, send us to jail. But why are you troubling the people of the state? Don’t you have common sense? If there are no literates or intelligent people in this country, still it is okay. But you people lack sense," he said, addressing the BJP government.
"This protest is for the people of Karnataka. This will take place for sure. We have made all preparations for the padayatra and put our foot forward. We are from Congress. Ready for any kind of sacrifice. Let the government do whatever it wants.”
D K Shivakumar visited Kenkeramma and Kabbalamma temple, his family deity and offered special puja of 101 coconuts.