Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took very strong objection to NDA’s second anniversary celebrations at Davanagere in Karnataka on May 29 citing prevailing drought situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting at Davanagere as part of second anniversary of NDA. After the poll performance of the saffron party in the South, this rally assumes significance as Karnataka is next on the agenda of the BJP in its promise to make a Congress-mukt Bharat. Karnataka is going to polls in 2018 and Karnataka is the only major State with the Congress and has to strive hard to keep its flock together.
Siddaramaiah said in Mysuru that when Karnataka was suffering from severe drought conditions its irony that BJP wants to celebrate its second anniversary at Davanagere.
He said that “due to severe drought situation prevailing in the State, ruling Congress dropped the idea of celebration of three years in the office on May 13, but whereas BJP wants to celebrate its two years in office at the Centre despite people suffering from shortage of drinking water and shortage of fodder to cattle.
“When the ruling party in the State has given up celebration of three years in the office due to drought condition, is it appropriate for the BJP to celebrate its two years in the prevailing condition in the State ,” he questioned.
Referring to repeated ‘Congress free India’ slogan of the BJP, Siddaramaiah shot back saying that in the recently held Assembly election to five States all put together BJP could win only 63 seats while Congress has won 137 seats.
“When such is the scenario is it possible to make the country free from Congress. It is only BJP’s dream which will never become true and Congress will retain power in Karnataka by winning 2018 election.”
Siddaramaiah said that in the 2013 election BJP, which was in power, was pushed to third position (on vote percentage) and but for Karnataka Janata paksha’s (KJP) merger BJP got the positon of the opposition party.
BJP’s rally on May 29 at Davanagere in Central Karnataka is very significant for the BJP in its aim to conquer the State. Davnagere a place politically very significant as it has seen birth of Karnataka’s first anti congress movement in late Ramakrishna Hegde. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence certainly gives impetus to BJP which is banking on lingayat consolidation.
Meanwhile Karnataka BJP has left the decision to re nominate union Minister Venkaiah Naidu to the central leadership for Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. BJP with its strength can win one seat and it is expected that Venkaiah would be re nominated for the fourth time. Venkaiah Naidu was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka legislative Assembly three times.