BSY wants to make Vijayendra CM; BJP leaders lying: Siddaramaiah

'What moral right does Vijayendra have to make statements about the conversion of BPL cards to APL?' Siddaramaiah asked, citing the BJP's opposition to the Food Security Act when it was first introduced.

Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed that B S Yeddyurappa made B Y Vijayendra the BJP State President as he has plans to make him the CM. "As BJP leaders opposed the Food Security Act, brought (added) guidelines for BPL cards and reduced the Anna bhagya rice, what moral right does Vijayendra have to make statements about the conversion of BPL cards to APL?" Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to media persons in Mysuru on Friday, he stated, "When Manmohan Singh was PM, he brought out the Food Security Act and gave Rice for Rs 3. BJP leader Murali Manmohan Joshi opposed it and stated that it is a 'vote security act'. I was giving 7 kg rice when I was CM in previous Congress led State Government, but the BJP led State Government reduced it to 5 kg. We increased it to 10kg. They made guidelines for BPL cards. What concern do they have for poor. Who has erred?" he wondered.

He explained, "I have only directed to convert cards of those who pay tax and Government employees from BPL to APL, since it is a purely pro-poor programme.

Regarding the state-wide protests by BJP leaders regarding the Waqf issue, he said, "They are protesting for politics regarding the matter. People should know the truth. Are they telling the truth?"

'Congress will win in by elections in State'

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also spoke about the Karnataka bypolls, reiterating that Congress "will win all three assembly constituencies in Assembly by elections." He added that the results will indicate that "BJP has lied and people have given right to answer." 

He was speaking to media persons in Mysuru on Friday. 

He said, "We will win in by election in all three assembly constituencies in the State, as per party workers and leaders who have campaigned there. We can't say by what margin we will win." 

CM Siddaramaiah added, "There is a close fight in Maharashtra. As far as some information I have, and as per our party workers and leaders, they say there is an edge for Congress. I have visited only a few constituencies. There are 288 Constituencies there."