All leading parties of Karnataka are getting battle-ready for the May 5 state assembly elections.
While former prime minister HD Deve Gowda’s JD(S) promised to waive loans for farmers, weavers, fishermen and artisans and came out with a separate manifesto for Bangalore on Saturday, senior Congress leaders launched the party’s election campaign in Bangalore.
Yet another former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s (BSY) Karnataka Janata Party also promised to waive farmers’ loans and allocate R2,000 crore for Muslims in the budget, in its poll manifesto.
The ruling BJP would seek “forgiveness” from the people for its lapses, chief minister Jagadish Shettar said in Bangalore.
Asserting that the exit of former party strongman BSY would not affect the party’s electoral performance, he said, “Those who gave us a bad name have left the party.”
He predicted that “it will be a surprise result (in favour of the BJP)”. The Congress remains averse to naming its chief minister candidate.
Expressing confidence, petroleum minister Moily said, “Our aim is to defeat the BJP and coming to power, CM will be selected by party national president Sonia Gandhi only after the results”.
Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said the Congress would set up a special court to hear corruption cases.
{{/usCountry}}Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said the Congress would set up a special court to hear corruption cases.
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