Siddaramaiah hits out at BJP for ‘brazenly copying’ Cong manifesto

News Network

May 4, 2018

Davanagere, May 4: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party for allegedly copying the programs detailed in the Congress manifesto in the so called former’s own manifesto released on Friday.

Speaking at the Congress rally where he was canvassing for Congress candidate Vadnal Rajanna in Santhebennur (Davanagere), he said BJP's 'Annapurna' was a copy of 'Indira Canteen' and 'Anna Bhagya' schemes of the Congress government.

"This is not the first time. They have brazenly copied our manifesto earlier also. But, none of those schemes were implemented by them," he argued.

Speaking in Hindi and addressing his question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM asked: "Kyoon jooth bol rahe ho? Kitna jhoot bologe?" (Why are you lying? How many times will you lie?). "BJP leaders lie all the time. Yeddyurappa who talks of waiving off farmer loans now did not do so when he was in power," the CM charged.

Congress does not fool people by raising slogans like "BJP nadige dalitara kadege" (BJP goes to dalits) and then eating food ordered from restaurants in Dalit houses. We have spent Rs 89000 crore under STP and TSP schemes for Dalits and have given Dalits priority in award of contracts for the first time in India, Siddaramaiah added.

"I started wearing footwear only after joining high school. But our government has provided boots for school children. We have also spent Rs 1300 crore on dairy farmers welfare," he claimed.

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International Airport in Udupi, Metro to Mangaluru…: Pontiffs present comprehensive Udupi development plan to PM

News Network

November 30,2025

Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district.

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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