Intro
Shivakumar highlighted welfare schemes benefiting women and families, defended state borrowing, and contrasted Congress programs with BJP promises
Davanagere
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed admiration for the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s work in Davangere South and highlighted Congress’s preparedness for upcoming by-elections. Speaking to media on Friday, he said the party has learned valuable lessons from Shivashankarappa’s contributions to the constituency.
“Shivashankarappa helped build hospitals, auditoriums, schools, and other public facilities. The roads, houses, parks, and bus stands here are maintained very well, even better than Bangalore. His work gives us a model to follow,” Shivakumar said. He also praised the state government’s social welfare schemes, noting that 15,000 shelter homes were provided for the poor, along with separate land allocations for all communities. Free COVID vaccinations and ongoing guarantee schemes have strengthened public trust.
Shivakumar outlined the wide reach of welfare programs: 98% of women in the constituency benefit from the Guarantee Scheme, 60,000 women receive Grihalakshmi support, 61,000 families benefit from Grihaljyoti, and 1.45 lakh individuals are part of the Annabhagya Scheme. “Women here are committed to voting for Congress regardless of other influences,” he added.
Addressing concerns about criticism of the state’s debt, he said, “Yes, we borrowed, but didn’t the Modi government also borrow? We provide five guarantee schemes giving Rs 5,000 per month to poor families. BJP schemes are mostly empty promises. People see the difference in our work.”
Shivakumar emphasized unity within the party, saying all MLAs and 78 lakh party members are working like disciplined soldiers. “This election is not just about me or Siddaramaiah. Thousands of workers are campaigning hard across constituencies,” he said.
Responding to caste-based speculations, he stated, “We do not campaign based on Lingayats, Muslims, or any community. We are the Congress party. Politics here is based on policy, not caste.”
He expressed confidence in Congress winning both constituencies, pointing out that rising prices are being mitigated locally through state welfare schemes, while urging the central government to ensure essential supplies reach citizens.
Shivakumar’s remarks underline Congress’s focus on continuity of development, welfare schemes, and inclusive politics, as the party seeks strong voter support in the by-elections.
