Karnataka poll scenario

BJP to seek people's forgiveness: Shettar Bangalore (PTI): The ruling BJP in Karnataka would seek "forgiveness" from the people for its lapses, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Saturday and asserted that the exit of former party strongman B S Yeddyurappa would not affect its electoral performance. "Those who gave us a bad name have left the party," he said and predicted that "it will be a surprise result (in favour of BJP)." The Chief Minister said his party was not personality based but ideology oriented and will ask for another term in the May five assembly polls on the basis of its performance. "We will appeal to the people to forgive us for our lapses. We will seek another opportunity by assuring the people of providing a spotless government", said Shettar, who, the BJP says, would continue to be the chief minister in the event of the party returning to power. He said no single person could claim to have contributed single-handedly to the party's growth in Karnataka. "BJP was not born on Friday. Individuals come and go at the state and national levels." Asked how the BJP would be able to shed the "corruption tag" as its rule was hit by several scandals, he said "those who gave us a bad name have left the party." Shettar told reporters that the governments headed by him and his predecessor D V Sadananda Gowda had provided scam-free administration with no graft charge against both of them.

Yeddy bid to woo Muslims Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janata Party on Saturday promised to waive farmers' loans and allocate Rs 2,000 crore for Muslims in the budget in its poll manifesto. Farmers above the age of 65 would be given monthly pension of Rs 500 and loans of up to Rs 1 lakh by cooperatives to farmers, weavers and fishermen would be waived, the KJP manifesto, released by Yeddyurappa who quit the BJP late last year, said. The party said Rs 2,000 crore would be reserved in the budget for the development of Muslims and creation of basic amenities and self-employment for them. Christians would get a budget allocation of Rs 250 crore in the budget for their development. A stringent law will be passed for protection of women, with non-bailable cases being booked against the culprits, it said. "Potable drinking water will be supplied and toilets built in all villages of the state," Yeddyurappa said. "All pending irrigation projects will be completed within five years. 5,000 MW will be generated to completely remove power shortage and help agriculture and industrial sector". The 'Bhagyalakshmi' (insurance for a girl child) and 'Sandhya Suraksha' (pension) schemes, pet projects of Yeddyurappa during his 38-month-tenure targeted at families in the below poverty line, would be extended to the middle-class. A capital investment of Rs 1 lakh each would be given to the 1.75 lakh self help women groups besides providing them necessary training and work sheds to produce different varieties of useful products.

Will waive all farm loans: JD(S) JD(S) of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Saturday promised to waive all loans availed by farmers, weavers, fishermen and artisans, even as it came out with a separate manifesto for Bangalore, ahead of May five Karnataka assembly elections. If it came to power, state subsidy would be given on fertilisers, while seeds and tractors would get 75 per cent subsidy, according to the manifesto, released by Deve Gowda and state unit President H D Kumaraswamy. "Under 'Raitha and Kooliarmika Kalpavriksha Nidhi' (fund for farmers and labourers), Rs 500 would be given for women head of the family for seeds and fertilisers", it said, adding, An amount of Rs 65,000 crore would be set aside for five years to irrigate 10 lakh acres. The party promised introduction of pension schemes for farmers, agricultural labourers, fishermen, weavers and rural artisans, and payment of Rs 5,000 over 12 months for pregnant women to "prevent malnutrition". Old age pension of Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 would be paid for those above 70 years and 80 years, respectively, while patients undergoing dialyses would get Rs 6,000 per month. Old age homes would be built in all panchayats. English medium would be introduced from fifth standard in all government schools.