From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 26: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dr G Parameshwara claimed that the ruling Congress party in the State was not worried over Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi addressing 20 rallies in different districts to woo the voters ahead of the assembly elections.
"The very fact that the Prime Minister has been prevailed upon to address 20 or 40 rallies in the State proves that the BJP leadership has lost faith in its local leadership and that is a plus point for us," the KPCC Chief said in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Answering questions from a few reporters, who met him at his residence in the morning, Dr Parameshwara said the Congress party in Karnataka is banking on its track record of delivering on its poll promises and providing good governance without corruption.
"We have fulfilled almost all our pre-election promises of 2013," he said and asked what can the Prime Minister or the BJP central leaders speak about the four-year NDA rule in Delhi. "BJP’s promises to eliminate corruption, bring back black money, minimum government and maximum governance or acche din and so on have proved hollow," Dr Parameshwara said claiming that the Congress government under Chie Minister Siddaramaiah has provided good governance, stable government and lived up to the expectations of the people.
The KPCC chief dismissed BJP National President Sri Amit Shah’s claim of making Karnataka as its gateway to South India and fulfil the party’s objective of Congress-mukt Bharat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and said the Congress party was deep rooted with millions of followers all over the country.
"Nobody neither Modi nor Shah can eliminate Congress. BJP may have won in many States. But Karnataka is a different ball game. People of the State are more progressive, open-minded and believe in the principles of secularism. If anybody or party thinks they will capture the State like invaders, we will close the gate. We know the people are behind us and can see through BJP’s games and designs," he said.
Dr Parameshwara said the selection of Congress candidates was done smoothly though there were some problems and protests in some constituencies. But these kind of things are quite common in all political parties, especially for a ruling party on the eve of elections. The party managed to sort out everything and announced candidates for 218 out of the 224 assembly constituencies.
"After all, we have manage regional and caste balances and consider several factors before finalising the names," he said.
He saw nothing wrong in the Chief Minister’s decision to contest from two constituencies and said it is not confined to Karnataka or Congress party alone. However, he claimed that the Chief Minister was personally against it and was persuaded by the party, especially people and leaders from Northern Karnataka to contest from Badami along with his traditional Chamundeshwari constituency.
Replying to a pointed question, Dr Parameshwara declared that he did not want to contest from two constituencies. He, however, admitted that he considered entering the fray from a constituency in the city as he was saddled with too many responsibilities as KPCC President to arrange the itinerary of central leaders including party president and even accompany.
"I felt contesting from the city would be easy and Pulakeshinagar was seriously considered. But as the Chief Minister had promised the ticket to the JD(S) MLA, who joined us, we had to honour it. In any case, Koratagere is my constituency and I can’t ditch my people. I am sure 2013 will not be repeated and I know my voters will never let me down this time," he asserted.
The KPCC Chief declared that the party’s first and foremost priority is to come back to power. "Personal ambitions and desires are different. We will take a decision after the election. All of us will work unitedly to ensure the formation of a full-fledged government," he added.