Bengaluru, March 16: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged Congress women members to take on a crucial role in ensuring the party’s victory in the Bagalkot and Davanagere South by-elections.
Speaking at an executive meeting and training camp organized by the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress, CM Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of women in raising public awareness about the government’s welfare schemes.
He directed the formation of two teams of women members to actively participate in the campaigning for the by-elections in Bagalkot and Davanagere.
The Chief Minister noted that the Congress party had previously won by-elections in Channapatna, Shiggau, and Sandur, and expressed confidence that the party must secure both seats this time as well. He stated that the Congress has made all necessary preparations for the elections.
Siddaramaiah highlighted that the Congress government has prioritized women’s empowerment from 2013 to 2018 and again from 2023. He mentioned that women-centric schemes have significantly contributed to protecting women’s rights.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the government’s guarantee schemes have enhanced women’s purchasing power. Under the Griha Lakshmi scheme, 1.26 crore women receive a monthly assistance of ₹2,000, improving their economic and social status.
He added that economic independence has also boosted women’s confidence.
Referencing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Siddaramaiah stated that true freedom can only be realized when gender discrimination and inequality are eradicated from society.
He stressed the importance of leadership among women, asserting that equality can only be achieved by providing equal opportunities to all. Currently, the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress has over one lakh women members, with a goal to increase this number to two lakh in the future.
The by-elections for the Davanagere South and Bagalkot assembly seats, necessitated by the passing of former ministers Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H.Y. Meti, will take place on April 9. Both seats were previously held by the Congress party.
The by-elections are expected to be fiercely contested, as they have become a matter of prestige for both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. The selection of candidates for the Davanagere South constituency has sparked controversy among cabinet ministers, with B.Z. Jamir Ahmed Khan demanding a minority community candidate. However, Minister Mallikarjun has stated that Jamir is not in a position to comment on the matter concerning Davanagere district.
Meanwhile, the BJP has committed to winning both seats and has already held a core committee meeting for candidate selection.
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