Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Rebuts BJP Claims on Women's Reservation
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of Karnataka strongly asserted on Tuesday that the Congress party is not opposed to women's reservation in state legislatures and Parliament. He made these remarks while inaugurating development works worth Rs 523 crore, primarily focused on filling water to 110 lakes in Gundlupet taluk. The event was held at the D Devaraj Urs Stadium in Gundlupet town, located in Chamarajanagar district.
Clarifying Congress's Position on Women's Reservation
Siddaramaiah clarified that neither Congress nor other opposition parties blocked the passage of the women's reservation bill in Parliament. He accused BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of spreading falsehoods by claiming that Congress opposed the bill. "Congress opposed the BJP-led NDA government's move to link the women's reservation bill with a constitutional amendment for delimitation," he explained. He emphasized that Congress is committed to women's reservation, highlighting that the party's government implemented 50% reservation for women in all panchayat bodies and urban local bodies through the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian Constitution.
Development Initiatives and Political Accusations
The Chief Minister detailed the water project, which involves filling 110 lakes in Gundlupet taluk at a cost of Rs 475 crore. Water will be pumped from the Kapila River near Gandhigram in Nanjangud taluk. Siddaramaiah described this initiative as a boon for the region, as it aims to rejuvenate groundwater levels and support local communities.
He also criticized BJP leaders who previously opposed Karnataka's guarantee schemes, alleging they claimed the state would go bankrupt. "Now, BJP-ruled states have copied these guarantee schemes and started implementing them," he claimed, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy.
Mekedatu Project and Other Developments
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar responded to Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, accusing him of lying about the Mekedatu project. Shivakumar announced that the government will prepare a fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) and submit it to the Centre within 45 days. An office has been opened for this purpose, and land acquisition and other processes for the Mekedatu project in Kanakapura taluk are underway. "Let Union ministers representing Karnataka in Parliament urge the Centre to grant permission for the Mekedatu project," he stated.
Public Works Minister Satish Jharkhiholi added that the government is committed to developing Hogenakkal Falls as a tourist spot. The PWD has allocated Rs 52 crore for constructing a bridge across the Cauvery River in Hogenakkal to improve road connectivity to Kanakapura, along with funds for road development from Palar to Hogenakkal.
Job Offers for Tragedy Victims
During the event, Siddaramaiah handed over job offer letters to 25 family members of victims who lost their lives due to a lack of oxygen supply at the Covid ward in Chamarajanagar district hospital in May 2021. Deputy CM Shivakumar noted that the Congress government has fulfilled its promise by providing these jobs, addressing the tragic incident known as the Chamarajanagar oxygen tragedy.
