Bengaluru, March 16: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the women members of the Congress party to play a crucial role in ensuring victory in the upcoming by-elections in Bagalkot and Davanagere South. Speaking at an executive meeting and training camp organized by the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress, he emphasized the importance of women in raising public awareness about the government’s welfare schemes.
The Chief Minister directed the formation of two teams of women members to actively participate in the election campaign for the by-elections. He noted that the Congress party had previously won by-elections in Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur, and expressed confidence that the party should secure both seats this time as well. Siddaramaiah stated that the Congress has made all necessary preparations for the elections.
He highlighted that the Congress government has prioritized women’s empowerment from 2013 to 2018 and again from 2023. Women-centric schemes have helped protect women’s rights, and the government’s guarantee schemes have increased women’s purchasing power. Under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, 1.26 crore women are receiving monthly assistance of ₹2,000, improving their economic and social status.
Siddaramaiah also mentioned that economic independence has boosted women’s confidence. He referenced Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, stating that true freedom can only be realized when gender discrimination and inequality are eradicated from society. He stressed the importance of leadership among women and that equality can only be achieved by providing equal opportunities for 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 deaths of former ministers Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H.Y. Meti, are scheduled for April 9. Both seats were previously held by the Congress party.
Intense competition is expected in the by-elections, as they have become a matter of prestige for both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. The selection of a candidate from the Davanagere South constituency has become a point of contention between cabinet ministers, B.Z. Jamir Ahmed Khan and S.S. Mallikarjun. This seat was previously held by Mallikarjun’s father, the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Jamir Ahmed Khan has demanded that a candidate from the minority community be given a ticket, while Minister Mallikarjun has stated that Jamir is not in a position to comment on matters concerning Davanagere district.
Meanwhile, the BJP has resolved to win both seats and has already convened a core committee meeting for candidate selection.