Bengaluru, May 13: With less than a year to go for the Karnataka Assembly elections, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has begun to aggressively promote the schemes he has launched over the past four years keeping the rural masses as the focal point.
The government has organised a public function ‘Soulabhya Vitaraneye Sambhrama’ (distribution of benefits is a celebration) in Chitradurga on May 13 to mark the completion of its four years in power. It is meant to remind people about what his government has done for them over the years. The party will bring workers from various districts to the programme where a few of them would turn into beneficiaries of the welfare schemes.
It has strategically chosen Chitradurga, which is reeling under severe drought, to send a message that it is empathising with people, in particular farmers. The government had announced that it was not inclined to celebrate the occasion because of drought. But finally, the chief minister, it seems, is in no mood to miss an opportunity to talk about his schemes and programmes.
Siddaramaiah, since he came to power in 2013, has mainly focused on implementing welfare schemes. And Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) has been the priority of all five budgets he has presented. Now, efforts to consolidate his position have begun, sources in the party observed.
The Congress has decided to fight the next Assembly elections under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. The party high command is also likely to give him a lot of freedom in chalking out the election strategy — the way Amarinder Singh in Punjab fought the elections recently. Siddaramaiah has emerged stronger in the Congress after the party’s impressive victory in Nanjangud and Gundlupet Assembly byelections recently. But much depends on who would head the party in the election year.
If Siddaramaiah has to remain active and aggressive, then the party should be headed by a person of his choice, the party insiders said.
The chief minister has been claiming that of the 165 election promises his party made, 155 have been implemented. But many of those related to urban areas, especially Bengaluru, have remained unfulfilled.
For instance, the promise to improve governance in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike by dividing it into two or smaller corporations remains on paper. Besides, no major infrastructure project pertaining to easing traffic has been implemented.
Govt’s achievements according to CM
8 Bhagya schemes — Anna, Ksheera, Krishi, Vasati, Rajiv Arogya, Soura, Nirmala, Pashu — introduced.Indira Canteens in B’luru (yet to be opened).B’luru emerges as Startup Capital of India.Law preventing diversion of SC/ST welfare funds.Law to regularise land in favour of farm labourers.Setting up of Skill Development Department.Pension to widows of farmers who committed suicide.Launched Vidya Siri (students), Mansvini (women), Ksheeradhare (farmers) schemes.
Oppn’s charges against govt
Has not effectively handled droughtFailed to waive farm loans.Has not effectively handled PDS.Pro-minorities/Dalits.Law & Order situation has worsened.Corruption unabated; Lokayukta weakened.Failed to check illegal sand mining.Did not initiate big infrastructure projects.Unable to ensure ease of doing business.
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