Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday campaigned for Congress-backed United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Ashraf in Manjeshwar, expressing confidence that voters will return the incumbent legislator with a strong mandate.
Addressing a public meeting, Siddaramaiah focused on the region’s linguistic links with Karnataka. “When I come to Manjeshwar, I feel as if I am standing on Kannada land,” he said, noting that the area has a large Kannada-speaking population. He referred to the legacy of literary figures from the region, calling it “a source of pride for Kannadigas like Govinda Bai who came out of this land” and added: “I congratulate the people here who have contributed to the preservation of Kannada even within Kerala.”
He urged voters to support Ashraf, describing him as a leader who has served voters in the past. “Ashraf has already been elected and served the people. I ask voters to bless him again this time,” he said.
Considering the election as a cultural as well as a political choice, he added, “Support Ashraf, the UDF candidate who is fighting for Kannada. I am confident that people will elect the Congress-backed UDF candidate with a majority.”
Siddaramaiah also used the platform to criticize the BJP, saying the party lacks broad ideological commitment. “The BJP has no ideology. It is on the side of the rich, the upper castes and corporate interests. It is against farmers, Dalits, backward castes, minorities and women,” he said, adding that the party’s electoral presence is limited in Kerala.
The Prime Minister also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing the National Food Security Act. “The Food Security Act was implemented when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister. Narendra Modi opposed it at that time, but now he is misusing it,” he said. Referring to the distribution of food grains, he added: “When we announced the provision of an additional 5 kg of rice, the central government did not supply rice despite its availability. That is why we transferred the amount directly to the beneficiaries’ accounts. Direct transfers prevent corruption and eliminate middlemen.”
Siddaramaiah also made comparisons on economic indicators. “Unemployment is a problem across the country. In Karnataka it is 2.5%, while in Kerala it is 8%,” he said, adding that unemployment was pushing young people to migrate abroad. “Inflation in Kerala is 8.05%, while in Karnataka it is less than 4%,” he added.
Raising concerns over the state’s financial situation, he said, “Kerala has become a debt-burdened state. Under the fiscal responsibility framework, the fiscal deficit should be around 3.5% and the total debt should be around 25% of GDP, but it has reached 35%. Kerala is heading towards financial distress.”
He concluded his speech by urging voters to reject the BJP. “Don’t vote for the BJP. It is against the Constitution, the poor, women and farmers,” he said.
