Congress will win both bypoll seats, says Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar
Kundapur: State Women and Child Development Minister and Udupi district in-charge minister Lakshmi R. Hebbalkar expressed confidence that Congress candidates will win the upcoming by-elections in Davanagere South and Bagalkot constituencies.
Speaking to media persons near the Youth Meridian helipad at Koteshwar on Thursday, after arriving to attend a programme near Heranjalu, the minister said the party is certain of victory in both seats.
She said that in general, voters tend to support the ruling party in by-elections. “Our government’s guarantee schemes have reached every household. Along with development, people’s income has also increased. Women voters in particular are satisfied. Hence, we will win both constituencies,” she said.
On ticket distribution, Hebbalkar said that in a democracy everyone has the right to seek a ticket, but winning remains the main criterion. Referring to the seat vacated following the demise of Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, she said the ticket has been given to a member of his family as per the decision of the party high command, and the party is committed to it.
Warahi project
Responding to a question on the long-pending Varahi project, she said the government will ensure that no injustice is done to farmers. “Farmers from both sides have already submitted representations. The intention of the administration and the government is that no one should be affected,” she said.
She added that the Deputy Commissioner has already visited the site and inspected the situation. The government will take steps to complete the project at the earliest in a way that benefits all farmers, she said.
KSRTC bus stand issue
When her attention was drawn to the issue of some government buses not entering the newly inaugurated KSRTC bus stand in Byndoor, the minister said a meeting would be convened through the Deputy Commissioner with National Highway officials to resolve the matter soon.
Former Byndoor MLA K. Gopal Poojary, District Congress spokesperson Vikas Hegde, leaders Aravind Poojary, Sampigedi Sanjeeva Shetty, Shekhar Poojary, Ramesh Kanchan, Santosh Shetty Baladi, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T.K., Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, Kundapur Sub-Divisional Assistant Commissioner Rashmi S.R., Tahsildar Pradeep Kurdekar, Kundapur Inspector Jayaram Gowda and Youth Meridian managing partner B. Udaykumar Shetty were present.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
