From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 15: State Congress president, D K Shivakumar challenged state BJP president, Nalin Kumar Kateel for a debate on the performances of the BS Yediyurappa regime versus the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah on any media platform of his choosing.

"I am ready for a debate with the state BJP chief at any media platform at any time,’’ he said pointing out that Siddaramaiah has fulfilled 99% of the promises made by the party in its election manifesto while the Yediyurappa regime has completely failed.

Speaking to reporters, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief criticized Nalin Kumar Kateel for his reported remarks that the musical chairs game was being played out in the Congress party over the chief minister’s post.

"Whether we play musical chairs game or not, let him first explain what is happening in his own party. Siddaramaiah has kept all his electoral promises from the time he was sworn in and has fulfilled almost all promises. Can he say the same thing about his own party government?’’ Shivakumar asked referring to the growing demand within BJP for change of leadership.

During the last one year and this year to almost all sections of society, especially the poor have suffered due to the Covid pandemic and the working classes have suffered due to inflation and price rise by the state and central governments, including the continuous petrol/diesel price hikes, Shivakumar said criticizing the Yediyurappa regime as well as Narendra Modi rule at the centre. 

The state Congress chief said the Congress party, its leaders and workers have been doing their best to fight for the people and espouse their causes. "We always stand with people and do our best to help and fight for their rights,’’ he said. 

Shivakumar said he has already visited coastal Karnataka and have listened to the problems of fishermen and other sections. He also promised to visit the Lambani tandas and other tribal areas besides all other districts. 

The Congress party has been fighting against the hikes in petrol/diesel prices and the failures in handling the Covid pandemic, especially during the second wave and the bungling in vaccine supplies.