From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 30: Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC chief D K Shivakumar slammed JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy for fooling people of Channapatna with his promises given the fact that he did nothing for the constituency when he was the MLA despite being in power.

Speaking to media persons near Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, he said people of Channapatna are fully aware of the fact and cannot be fooled by empty promises.

“I have been working for the people of Channapatna, especially after the constituency became vacant following Kumaraswamy’s resignation on being elected to Lok Sabha from Mandya and becoming the Union Minister. People of
Channapatna know my work and also the work taken up under the district in-charge minister B Ramalinga Reddy,” he said explaining that more than 22,000 families had submitted applications during the mass contact programme organised by him.

Despite being elected from the constituency twice and having fielded his wife, Anita Kumaraswamy, once, Shivakumar criticised Kumaraswamy for selecting his son, Nikhil, as the candidate, disregarding the party workers. He said that the people of Channapatna have approached him regarding the failure to allocate housing sites and the lack of meetings for Bagar Hukum cultivators. When the plight of the people was brought to his attention, he stated that he and Reddy urged the chief minister to release Rs 500 crore for development works in the constituency. He noted that 5,000 houses have been sanctioned and government lands have been identified to create layouts and distribute housing sites.

Asked about Kumaraswamy roping in the Mysuru BJP MP and scion of the Wadiyar royal family Yaduveer to campaign for Nikhil, he said he has no problem with BJP and JD(S) bringing in leaders from any place and their families too. "People are with us. We are confident that our candidate C P Yogeshwara will get a resounding victory," he said.

Shivakumar lashed out at BJP for trying to make political capital out of the Wakf lands issue and said the Congress government would protect the interests of the farmers. The notices to farmers on using lands belonging to Wakf Board is
nothing new as even during BJP rule such notices had been issued. "The lands allotted to farmers must not be disturbed and any confusion that led to issuance of the notices will be sorted out," he said asserting that the Congress party always stood with farmers.

Demand from women for reviewing Shakti guarantee scheme

The Deputy Chief Minister stated that a group of affluent women has been requesting a review of the Shakti guarantee scheme for free travel on government buses throughout the state, as they are not interested in the free bus travel option.

“We have been receiving representations and even email messages by some women that the Shakti scheme must be reviewed. At least 5 to 10 % women claim that they can afford to buy their own bus tickets and do not want free travel. But the bus conductors are refusing to accept payment even when the women offer to pay,” he said.

Shivakumar said he will discuss the issue with Transport Minister B Ramalinga Reddy and a decision will be taken.