Bagalkot, April 4 (AHN) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, coming down heavily on the BJP during the bypoll campaign, charged that “the BJP government has widened the gap between the rich and the poor.”​

Addressing a public meeting, he said: “Our government has implemented various schemes to empower the weaker sections of society and has spent Rs 1.31 lakh crore on these initiatives in the last three years.”​

The Congress party has been working for the welfare of marginalised sections of society, including women, Dalits, and minorities, he said.​

Siddaramaiah criticised the BJP’s ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ model, saying it has only benefited corporate houses and increased the gap between the rich and the poor. ​

He added that the Congress party has always worked for the poor and marginalised.​

“The Congress party has given freedom to the country, and it is time for the people to reciprocate,” he said.​

“The BJP has never participated in the freedom struggle, and they have nothing to show for their nine years in power in Karnataka,” he added.​

Siddaramaiah also criticised PM Modi, saying he had promised many things in 2014 but failed to deliver.​

“He promised to bring back black money and deposit Rs 15 lakh in every household, but nothing has happened,” he said.​

The Chief Minister appealed to the people to elect Umesh Meti, saying his father, H.Y. Meti, had worked tirelessly for the development of Bagalkot, and it was time to fulfill his dreams.​

He also announced that a medical college would be set up in Bagalkot, fulfilling one of H.Y. Meti’s long-pending demands.​

Siddaramaiah emphasised the importance of social justice and said the Congress party was committed to empowering marginalised sections of society.​

“We need to work towards making every individual socially and educationally strong, so that our political freedom is successful,” he said.

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