CM Siddaramaiah kicks off bypoll campaign at Bagalkot terming Centre ‘anti-people’ for not notifying tribunal verdict

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday alleged that the BJP-led Union government has an anti-people stance on the Almatti dam issue and has not issued gazette notification on the final award of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (II) for the last 13 years.

The Chief Minister kicked off the election campaign for the by-poll by addressing a public meeting in various parts of the Bagalkot Assembly constituency on Monday, where the Congress candidate is campaigning.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah takes a break during campaigning in Bagalkot on Monday. | Photo Credit: special editing

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that farmers were not given any compensation even when the BJP was in power in the state for four years.

However, he said the Congress government started working after fixing compensation of ₹ 40 lakh for irrigated lands and ₹ 30 lakh for dry lands and will pay the compensation amount within three years.

The Prime Minister emphasized that this was because of the late HY Meti. His son Umesh Meti now claims that the foundation stone of Bagalkot Medical College has been laid and a super specialty hospital and trauma center will soon be established in Bagalkot.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the BJP did not act on its promises and not a single penny was waived from farmer loans. However, the Congress government was helping people affected by the epidemic through five guarantees.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is campaigning for Congress candidate Umesh Meti in Bagalkot on Monday. | Photo Credit: special editing

The Prime Minister said that the BJP, which failed to meet people’s expectations while in power, was running a misinformation campaign against the guarantee schemes.

The Prime Minister addressed election rallies in Sutagundar, Nayanegali, Rampura and other places. Ministers RB Thimmapur, Byrathi Suresh and Shivanand Patil and other Congress leaders accompanied him.

DKS campaign

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala will campaign in Davangere South, the other general constituency in Karnataka, on Tuesday and then proceed to Bagalkot. Mr. Shivakumar will campaign in Kerala on April 5 and 6.