Congress is 'sinking ship,' people there will come to BJP: CM Bommai
Raichur, Oct 11: Dubbing Congress as a "sinking ship," Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday claimed that people from the grand old party will jump ship in the days to come, as the state prepares for the assembly polls next year.
The BJP will go to assembly polls with a report card on its performance and will return to power once again in the state, he said, challenging the Congress to save the constituencies it is currently representing.
"Congress is a sinking ship, those there, in a few days will come to this side, there are already indications in this regard," Bommai claimed.
Addressing a gathering, after kick starting BJP's 'Jana Sankalpa Yatra' here, he said that the march, which will cover various parts of the state leading up to assembly polls, will turn out to be "Vijaya Yatra" (Victory march) at the end.
"We will place our report card in front of you (people) and with your support we will come back to power, this is our resolve.....it is also the resolve of the people of Karnataka to ensure that lotus blooms on the third floor of Vidhana Soudha once again (corridor of power in the state), aimed at establishing a progressive and welfare state," he added.
Bommai along with BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa kick started the party's election tour in the state from Raichur today, in the run-up to assembly polls next year.
The duo are scheduled to cover 52 Assembly segments till December 25, as part of the 'Jana Sankalpa Yatra'.
The ruling party's tour begins at the time when Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi is passing through the state.
Targeting Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, Bommai said his socialist credentials ceased to exist the day he joined the Congress.
"What makes me unhappy is the way you (Siddaramaiah) are always at the disposal of that young man (Rahul Gandhi), you run or sit whenever he asks you to do so. You are ready to do anything for the sake of power," he said, adding that "Siddaramaiah is touring to make preparations for Congress' Prince's yatra, which the party is undertaking to relaunch Rahul Gandhi."
Also, hitting out at Congress for trying to claim credit for hike in SC/ST reservation in the state, the CM said it was the BJP government led by him that has fulfilled the long-standing demands of these communities.
"For five decades you (Congress) were in power in the state, while in power you never thought about it (SC/ST reservation hike), but when the BJP government has taken a decision in this regard you are claiming credit for it," he chided.
The Karnataka Cabinet on October 8 accorded its formal approval to increase the quota for SCs and STs in the state.
Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said, it is certain that BJP will win more than 150 seats (out of 224) in the assembly polls, under the leadership of Bommai and other leaders, and come back to power in the state.
He sought to know from Rahul Gandhi, who is accusing BJP of corruption in the state, his family's share in the coal, 2G, commonwealth and other scams that took place during UPA rule and reminded that both he and Sonia Gandhi (Congress President) were out on bail in a National Herald case.
Yediyurappa also took on Siddaramaiah, recalling the 'Hublot' watch controversy, allegations in the 'redo scam' involving him.
".... during the upcoming assembly session we will bring out all the scams you (Siddaramaiah) were involved in, make people know truth about you, and get them probed," he said, as he strongly condemned the Congress Legislature Party leader and Rahul Gandhi for unnecessarily targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bommai and Yediyurappa will be touring predominantly in the 'Kalyana Karnataka' region.
Of the 52 seats which they will be touring, 20 constituencies are currently represented by Congress MLAs and four by JD(S).
Also, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel will be touring Haveri, Gadag and Hubli-Dharwad over the next three days.
The party has also planned seven rallies by -- SC Morcha in Mysuru on October 16, OBC Morcha in Kalaburagi on October 30, Raitha (farmer) Morcha in Hubballi on November 13, Yuva (youth) Morcha in Shivamogga on November 27, ST Morcha in Ballari on November 27, Mahila (women) Morcha in Bengaluru on December 25 and Minority Morcha in Vijayapura on January 8 ahead of the polls.
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Karnataka Muslim Convention to be held in Bengaluru on May 16
Muslim organisations to release report on Congress govt’s three-year performance
Bengaluru: Major Muslim organisations and federations in Karnataka have decided to organise a large public convention titled ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ at Town Hall in Bengaluru on May 16. During the convention, a comprehensive report reviewing the three-year performance of the Congress government under the theme “What did the Congress government promise? What did it do? What next?” will be released.
According to a statement issued on Friday, no politicians will be invited to the convention. The report will be submitted to the government and all MLAs after the event.
The convention is being held at a time when the Congress government is nearing the completion of three years in office on May 20. Muslim organisations have expressed dissatisfaction, alleging that despite extending strong support to the Congress in bringing it to power, the community is being neglected.
The Convention is being organised at time when there are concerns over inadequate political representation for Muslims, alleged neglect of community demands, and the suspension of senior Muslim leaders who had worked for the party for decades.
The organisers said the convention aims to raise questions on what the Congress government has delivered so far and what further steps are expected from the government.
The decision to hold the convention was taken during a meeting held on May 6 at A J International Hotel in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru. Representatives of major Muslim organisations, associations, ulema bodies, federations, and members of the ad hoc committee of Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkoota attended the meeting.
More than 75 representatives and delegates, including senior ulemas, jamaat leaders, lawyers, retired officials, journalists and members of the KRMO ad hoc committee, participated in the discussions.
Members of the KRMO ad hoc committee’s report preparation team and experts from different sectors presented a detailed report on the Congress government’s three-year performance. The report examined promises made to Muslims on ten major issues, the extent to which they were fulfilled, pending promises, alleged discrimination in representation, and the demands now being placed before the government.
The report covered issues such as the hijab ban, reservation cancellation, hate speech and hate crimes, budget allocation, political representation, waqf matters, the anti-cow slaughter law, anti-conversion law, scholarships and educational grants.
Participants offered suggestions and recommendations on various points, and necessary corrections to the report were accepted after detailed discussions.
The meeting also reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the manner in which the Congress government has treated the Muslim community. Participants are said to have opined that if the government and the Congress party continue in the same manner, the community should keep its political options open.
It was later decided that the report would be officially released at the large public convention on May 16 under the title “Karnataka Muslim Convention – What did the Congress government promise? What did it do? What next?”
The organisers appealed to people from all districts of the state to participate in large numbers and send a strong message to the government and the Congress party through the convention.
They also decided that all organisations, jamaats and associations should work towards ensuring participation from every district in Karnataka.
The statement reiterated that no politicians would be invited to the May 16 convention and that the report on the Congress government’s three-year performance would be submitted to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, ministers and MLAs after the event.
