Hiriyur, 3 Nov

“My fellow ministers and I have not come to Hiriyur constituency empty-handed. We have brought  Abhivruddi Lakshmi ‘Goddess of Development’  to this constituency,” said Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

He was speaking on Tuesday after laying the foundation stone for a new KSRTC bus stand at Dharmapura in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district.

Projects Worth ₹2,200 Crore sanctioned for constituency Development through various departments

“We have issued orders for projects worth Rs.2,200 crore through various government departments. Minister Eshwar Khandre has taken the initiative to ensure the implementation of these projects in the constituency. We have prepared a list of the road infrastructure requirements of every town and village.

“Former MLA Poornima and her husband Srinivas are here with you today. I worked closely with her father, who earned the trust of the people of Hiriyur through his service. Although they contested from another party earlier, they later joined the Congress, recognising that the future of the state lies with the Congress. They are now committed to serving you,” he said.

 Sudhakar would have been overjoyed to see me as Chief Minister

“I have come here with a heavy heart. My colleagues know how happy Sudhakar would have been to see me as Chief Minister. Just two months before his demise, he told me, ‘It does not matter if I am   not a minister; my friend D.K. Shivakumar should become the Chief Minister.’

“His dreams were immense, as was his love for the people. He never discriminated on the basis of caste or religion and brought everyone together. Today, I stand as prajasevaka before you” he said.

“The Social Welfare Department has issued orders for the construction of community halls for all castes and communities. Balakrishna brought your concerns to my attention and requested a community hall for the Vokkaliga community. I have sanctioned a grant of Rs. 5 crore for this purpose. Grants will also be provided for community halls for the Golla community, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, as well as for a Kanaka Bhavana. You must strengthen this government,” he appealed.

“Ministers Zameer Ahmed Khan and Parameshwara have initiated a scheme to distribute five lakh housing sites to landless people across the state this year. Where government land is unavailable, private land will be purchased to provide sites. In this district, the Deputy Commissioner has already submitted a list of available government land.

“Applications for housing sites submitted through the ‘Praja Seve’ initiative will be considered. If you submit your applications using the prescribed forms distributed during the campaign, efforts will be made to resolve your grievances.

“The government has also launched a drive to regularise property records. Even for small plots, records will be updated with the owner's photograph and the completion of the podi (land subdivision) process to ensure proper documentation.

“In Vijayanagara district, land title documents were distributed free of cost to 1.11 lakh tribal beneficiaries. Why did the BJP or JD(S) governments not 0undertake such initiatives?” he asked.

Rs.30,000 Crore Allocated this year for free electricity to farmers' pump sets

“Ten ministers from our government are working to ensure that the region's requirements are addressed through their respective departments. Through these initiatives, we are striving to repay the debt we owe you for electing Sudhakar and giving the Congress 136 seats in the state.

“Our government allocates Rs. 22,000 crore annually to provide free electricity to farmers' pump sets. Due to the drought this year and the resulting increase in electricity consumption, the expenditure has risen to Rs.30,000 crore. We have declared more than 200 taluks drought-affected. We understand the difficulties faced by farmers.

“Sudhakar had promised to ensure water supply to your lands. Jayachandra has great faith in you and is actively working to improve irrigation facilities in this taluk. Anjaneya is also working hard for the welfare of the people of this district,” he said.

“We have laid the foundation stone for the construction of this bus stand at a cost of ₹3.5 crore. Regarding the irrigation project demanded by the people of this taluk, we have granted approval, invited tenders and already released water on a trial basis".

“I am not someone who makes hollow promises. There is a story about a conversation between Akbar and Birbal on the difference between truth and falsehood. Birbal explained that the difference was the distance of four fingers: what one sees with one's own eyes is the truth, while what one merely hears may be false. I stand before you today as a servant of the state and a close friend of Sudhakar,” he said.

Hiriyur is just as important to me as Kanakapura

“A lotus looks beautiful in a lake, crops look beautiful in a field, and hands that engage in charity look best when they hold power. It is because of such hands, which believe in giving, are in power that these development projects have been implemented.

“We have also introduced the Land Guarantee Scheme. It is this government that has taken the historic decision to fill the lakes in the Dharmapura Hobli region, thereby transforming the lives of local farmers.

“We stand by the promises we make. I will personally review all the applications submitted here today. Hiriyur constituency is as important to me as Kanakapura constituency. I remain committed to serving you,” he said.

Funds announced in Union Budget for Upper Bhadra Project yet to be released

“Let the BJP and JD(S) contest the upcoming by-election jointly. This government stands with you and shares your lives and concerns as a member of your own family.

“We have provided community halls for 14 villages and sanctioned infrastructure projects worth ₹7 crore. In my political career, I have never gone back on my word, unlike some people for whom lying has become a way of life.

“Did the government led by B.S. Yediyurappa make even the slightest contribution to your lives? During Kumaraswamy's tenure, with our support, a portion of the farmers' loans was waived.

“When Basavaraj Bommai was Chief Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an allocation of ₹5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra Project in the Union Budget. However, not a single rupee has been released so far. With what moral authority do they come here seeking your votes?” he asked.

15,000 votes from Dharmapura hobli alone

“If anyone from the NDA, be it Bommai, Yediyurappa, Vijayendra, Ashoka, Karajol or Kumaraswamy, comes here, tell them that they have nothing to offer except empty vessels and empty promises.

“The people of this region remember the good work done by my friend Sudhakar for the constituency. In the past, the people of this hobli gave him 6,000 votes and ensured his victory. As his friend, I became Chief Minister and have worked towards the development of this constituency.

“This time, you must ensure that Dharmapura Hobli alone delivers at least 15,000 votes in the by-election,” he urged.

Demand for the creation of a separate taluk will be examined

“You have raised the demand for a separate taluk, and we are examining your request. I have considered which hoblis should be included and what the population should be for the formation of a new taluk.

“Look at the results of the by-elections in Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur. In Channapatna, Kumaraswamy was forced to field his son, but our candidate Yogeshwar won by a margin of 25,000 votes. In Shiggaon, Pailwan Pathan defeated Bommai's son. The people rejected the sons of two former Chief Ministers.

“Let anyone come and contest here, irrespective of how prominent a leader they may be. I assure you that I and our government will stand by you and repay the debt of your support.

“I have a message for leaders of other political parties: their parties have no future. Our Congress government will return to power in the state in 2028. If they could not achieve anything when they were in power, what can they possibly do now that they are out of power? Convey this message to people in every village and bring them into the Congress fold,” he appealed.

I have commissioned a survey to identify the right candidate

“I am not someone who visits a place and simply leaves. I have pledged to serve you, and we will honour that commitment.

“As far as the drought is concerned, the Central Government has not released a single rupee so far. I have issued orders to fill the lakes with water. The issues raised by the farmers will be resolved.

“I am not someone who appears only during elections. I am here to stay with you and serve you. Although I am no longer the Congress party president, I have commissioned four surveys to identify the most suitable candidate for the by-election.

“I myself am your candidate. D.K. Shivakumar is your candidate. The people of Dharmapura are the protectors of Dharma (righteousness). Vote in the spirit of Dharma and ensure the victory of the party that is committed to serving you,” he said.