Even as many politicians tend to rely heavily on caste equations to calculate their prospects in elections, it is heartening that some among the new breed speak about issues and try to impress the voters.
Congress candidate in Bijpaur Lok Sabha constituency, Prakash Rathod and Devara Hipparagi MLA A S Patil Nadahalli are harping on development issues during their campaign.
While not denying the relevance of caste in deciding the voting pattern, these two young men firmly believe that playing caste card does not work all the time. “People are intelligent enough. They want their lives to improve and they expect programmes and policies in that direction,” said A S Patil Nadahalli during a chat with Business Standard at Muddebihal.
Prakash Rathod, son of former minister K T Rathod is educated in Bangalore. A former Ranji player, Rathod belongs to Lambani community which is a major component in the electorate. However, Rathod preferred to speak on development issues. He said the irrigation potential of Bijapur district had not been exploited properly leaving the part of the district parched.
“Due to lack of irrigation schemes, Karnataka has not been able to use its share of Krishna waters. If this continues, Andhra will claim before the tribunal that Karnataka had failed to utilise its share and hence demand the water to be released to their state.” He admitted that the voice of politicians from North Karnataka was not strong and hence the region was neglected.
Rathod was also sour that the BJP government had reduced the allocation for irrigation projects in North Karnataka.
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Developing Bijapur as a tourist centre is another dream of Rathod. By getting more trains ply via Bijapur and improving the connectivity by setting up airport, Bijapur could be a world heritage city. Implementation of Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana can do wonders in the district which is known for grape and pomegranate cultivation, he said. Getting Palace on Wheel to Bijapur to boost the historical city’s image further is Rathod’s another dream.
A S Patil Nadahalli who represents Devara Hipparagi and owns a garment factory besides mines in Bellary district rues lack of employment opportunities for the rural youth in the district. Patil who led a Padayatra for a week from Devara Hipparagi to Almatti dam seeking implementation of lift irrigation schemes in the district said the entire district would be prosperous if the irrigation potential was tapped. “We don’t want very big money. Implementing minor and medium irrigation schemes would do.
Besides the government should arrange for short term training courses for the youth in various trades so that they can be gainfully employed,” he asserted. You just provide an investor-friendly atmosphere and see how the unemployment problem gets solved here. The economy will also change for the better,” he asserted. Patil is sad that politicians allow the bureaucracy to take them for granted. “Once the elected representatives fall pray to temptations from officials, they cannot meet the people’s aspirations. They will lose the moral right to tame the officials,” he said.