Siddaramaiah steps up Bagalkot bypoll campaign

Bagalkot: Chief minister Siddaramaiah campaigned in Bagalkot Saturday along with cabinet colleagues, seeking votes for Congress candidate Umesh Meti. He met representatives of organisations and institutions, as well as community leaders.Addressing organisational representatives, Siddaramaiah said voters were politically mature. "They know everything. We cannot cheat them by making false promises," he said. He accused the BJP, which ruled the state for nine years between 2008 and 2013 and 2019 and 2023, of having no achievements despite four chief ministers, including BS Yediyurappa. "What are their contributions to the state? They did nothing to claim as their achievement," he said.The CM alleged BJP leaders were misleading people by calling Congress corrupt and claiming there was no development. "Who will believe them when their allegations are far from the truth?" he asked. "People will not elect persons who tell lies. I have been in active politics since 1983 because people have faith in me for telling the truth and keeping my word," he said.Siddaramaiah said the Congress had fulfilled all pre-poll promises, implemented the five guarantees and allocated funds for development works. He said farmers who lost land for the Upper Krishna project were already receiving compensation — Rs 30 lakh per acre for agricultural land and Rs 40 lakh per acre for irrigated land — and that all farmers who come forward would be compensated.On bypolls, he said the Congress had won three earlier elections with big margins and would also win the Davanagere and Bagalkot bypolls. "People will vote only if we work for development; otherwise they will reject us," he said.Speaking about medical education, Siddaramaiah said he had announced the establishment of medical colleges in every district when he was deputy CM and was now implementing the plan. Medical colleges have been sanctioned in 25 districts, and four to five more will be sanctioned, he said, adding that this would help poor children from all castes and religions become doctors and improve healthcare services.Regarding ticket-related issues, he said the Congress has a tradition of giving tickets to the family members of sitting MLAs in the event of their death.In meetings with community leaders, the CM said Congress does not discriminate on the basis of caste or religion and accused the BJP of resorting to such politics. He alleged the BJP ignored Basavanna and spoke only about Hindutva. "Congress works for the poor, women, the downtrodden and OBCs without discrimination," he said.He called on people to educate their children to bring equality in society and said police must prioritise the safety of women, children and weaker sections. Siddaramaiah appealed for support to Meti and assured the development of Bagalkot.