CM Siddaramaiah defends reintroduction of ballot papers in local body elections

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday defended the State government’s decision to reintroduce ballot papers in urban local body elections, countering criticism from BJP leaders who alleged that the move was taking Karnataka “back to the Stone Age.”

“Many advanced countries, including the United States, are using ballot papers. Have they gone back to the Stone Age? Why are they afraid of ballot papers?” he asked.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Congress had consistently raised concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). “Rahul Gandhi is fighting against vote theft in poll-bound Bihar. He has explained how we lost in Mahadevapura constituency,” the Chief Minister added.

He was speaking to reporters after receiving a police guard of honour at the MSPL airstrip near Ginigera in Koppal district, before leaving for Alamatti reservoir to offer Bagina to River Krishna.

On Baldota steel plant

Asked about the government’s decision to permit the Baldota Group’s integrated steel plant in Koppal despite local opposition, Industries Minister M.B. Patil, who was present, intervened to say that the Union Government had already given environmental clearance for the project.

“Why don’t you question the Union Government which has given environmental clearance? As far as our government is concerned, we will go by the opinion of the people,” Mr. Siddaramaiah clarified.

Tungabhadra crest gates

On the demand to replace the weakened crest gates of the Tungabhadra reservoir, the Chief Minister assured that repairs would be undertaken immediately after the rains.

“Our government acted swiftly last year when gate number 19 was washed away, by installing a stop log element. The dam is old, and the gates have developed issues. Repairs will be taken up as soon as the rains subside,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also addressed reporters, said he had sought a meeting with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to discuss Tungabhadra-related issues.

“Once the meeting is fixed, we will also raise the matter of the parallel reservoir at Navali. The crest gates will be repaired at the earliest with public cooperation,” he said.

Chief Minister’s media advisor K.V. Prabhakar, Koppal MP K. Rajashekar Hitnal, MLAs, K. Raghavendra Hitnal and H.R. Gaviappa, former MP Karadi Sanganna, former MLA Basavaraj Hitnal, Koppal CMC president Amjad Patel, Zilla Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority chairman Reddy Srinivas, Ballari IGP Vartika Katiyar, Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal, SP Ram L. Arasiddi, and other officials were present with the Chief Minister.

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