Mangalore, Apr 27: The Congress is all set to fight tooth and nail to send the BJP back home in the State. This was evident when All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Sonia Gandhi said that the immediate task before the Congress is to get back to power in Karnataka and restore its image, which has been battered and dented by the BJP rule.
Addressing a public rally at Nehru Maidan in the city on Saturday, Ms. Gandhi said that under the BJP rule, Karnataka's image has taken a huge blow and the Congress eyes to set it right.
“Investors used to look at Karnataka as a potential investment destination and this has resulted in generation of large scale employment opportunities. Thanks to the BJP's corruption, political interference and crumbling of infrastructure, investors have turned their back on Karnataka and diverted their attention to other states. Corruption has reached unprecedented levels in the state and immoral behaviour has been exhibited by those in power. The most immediate task before us is to restore the image of Karnataka which has been battered by the BJP,” Ms. Gandhi reiterated.
The UPA Chairperson lamented that although Mangalore has a history of communal harmony, attempts have been constantly made in the recent past to destroy peace for political gains.
“Mangalore truly represents unity in diversity with its secular ethos and a society that believes in living together. Sadly, from past few years, this has been damaged by fundamentalist organizations claiming to be protectors of morality. They have no other agenda except spreading hatred and deriving personal and political gains. The Congress has always rejected all forms of communal ideology. We will strive to make sure that communal harmony thrives. Dalits, minorities and women have a right to be empowered which is why lots of money has been sent from Delhi to empower the weaker sections, ” Ms. Gandhi said.
Funds not used
The Congress powerhouse took on the BJP, alleging its state government of not utilizing funds for several projects granted by the UPA government.
“The UPA has given vast financial support to Karnataka but where has all that money gone? Voters must ask as to why have people in power and those close to the ones in power grown richer? People look for a government that protects them, generates jobs for them and helps them lead a dignified life. Farmers are distressed today. The fishermen of your region are unhappy. They want cold storage facilities so that their catch remains fresh and marketable. The BJP promised 24 hour electricity supply but what have they done? One must not make promises which cannot be fulfilled and hence we have assured in our manifesto that since it is not possible to provide 24x7 electricity, we will ensure that at least 8-9 hours of power supply is provided. We delivered our promise by introducing the RTI through which most cases of corruption are being dug out today. We introduced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) but it has not been implemented effectively in Karnataka. We delivered our promise with the Right to Education Act. We are concerned about the plight of our brethren in forests and have tabled the Tribal Rights Bill and the Food Security Bill so that no child remains malnourished in the country. In order to ensure that the farmers get the right price for their lands, we have tabled the Land Rehabilitation Bill, which we expect to pass in the next session of the Parliament”, Ms. Gandhi revealed.
Thanks to coastal Karnataka
Ms. Gandhi had a word of gratitude for the people of coastal Karnataka for swinging the tide back towards Congress.
“You elected Jayaprakash Hegde in the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha bypoll. I have been told that you have voted for our party in the local body elections here. I am grateful to you. These are signs that you want change and get that opportunity on May 5”, Ms. Gandhi said.
Rajya Sabha MPs Ambika Soni and Oscar Fernandes, KPCC President Dr. G Parameshwar, Madhusoodan Mistry, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, former minister B Janardhana Poojary, were present.
BJP betrayed people; need for change now, says Sonia Gandhi
Chikmagalur, Apr 27: Charging the BJP government in Karnataka with betraying the people's mandate, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday, made a strong pitch for "change" in the State as it was passing through "some of the darkest days."
"I remind the young generation that these are some of the darkest days. People want change. The need for change is now, and now", she said in her first campaign rally in Karnataka, which goes to assembly polls on May five.
"The BJP has completely ignored your mandate, they have completely betrayed the mandate of the people of Karnataka", she charged, as she attacked the Government on various fronts, including the "breakdown" of the law and order.
On illegal mining scam in Karnataka, she said the mining mafia has destroyed environment, and charged the BJP government with serving only its "narrow and selfish political ends".
She said there was a time when industries competed with one another to invest in Karnataka but the situation now is "opposite". Now the industries are leaving Karnataka because of corruption, government interference and infrastructure issues, she said.
Noting that Karnataka has had a glorious past and brighter future awaiting, she said this is possible only if there is political stability. "Therefore this political stability is essential. A stable government is need of the hour for Karnataka".
Gandhi said the immediate task for the Congress in the State is to restore the image of Karnataka as a "bright state" of the country. "Congress will ensure this Karnataka thrives and prospers".
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