Announcement on bypoll likely in a week, CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that there was likelihood of date being announced for byelections to  Bagalkot and Davangere Assembly Constituencies in a week and that the Congress was well prepared for the byelections.

Speaking to presspersons at Bagalkot helipad on Saturday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that while any number of aspirants from a family could seek party ticket, ultimately the high command would give ticket to only one.

On whether members of Meti family would be fielded again from Bagalkot, he said that his family members were also aspirants for the party ticket. He said that former minister H.Y. Meti had dreamt of establishing a medical college in Bagalkot and the government was now fulfilling it.

On BJP’s allegation about funds not being earmarked for compensation towards land acquisition under third phase of Upper Krishna Project, the Chief Minister said that the process of disbursement of compensation cheques was being initiated and all the farmers would get the compensation in a span of three to four years.

On BJP terming the foundation laying ceremony for Bagalkot medical college and release of ₹40 lakh each for statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Basavanna as ‘election gimmick’, Mr. Siddaramaiah sought to know why BJP did not do it when in power for four years. “Already tenders were floated and agency fixed. As work has to start, foundation is being laid. How can it be election gimmick,” he asked.

On the LPG issue, he said that it was the Centre’s responsibility and the State was only distributing what was given by the Centre. Already the Food and Civil Supplies Minister had held meetings twice and written to the Union Minister on the issue. Steps would be taken to ensure there was no scarcity, he said.

As has already been announced, a meeting on internal reservation would be held on March 27 and final decision would be taken during the meeting, he said.