Former health minister and Independent MLA B. Sreeramulu, who formally launched his regional party – Badavara Shramikara Raitara Congress (BSR Congress) on Sunday , announced a series of populist measures including one on providing rice at Rs 2 per kg, if his party comes to power in the 2013 Assembly polls.
Announcing his manifesto, Mr Sreeramulu—who is close to jailed mining baron Janardhan Reddy—said he was confident that at least 10 lakh people will enroll as BSR Congress members in the next one month. He declared that he will be fielding candidates in all 224 Assembly segments of the state and added that he was not interested in big leaders joining the party. “I don’t want them. What shall I do with big leaders? I would rather go to the common man,’’ he said.
The highlights of his manifesto are the announcement of a minimum support price for agricultural produce the day cultivation begins, regularization of all unauthorized cultivation on government land and issue of khatas to farmers. He even plans to provide free education to poor children including professional courses like medical and engineering.
He was bitterly critical of his former party, the BJP, accusing party leaders of backstabbing him and his mentor, Janardhan Reddy. No one knows who is really ruling Karnataka – Mr Sadananda Gowda or Mr Yeddyurappa— he quipped. The state government has stopped functioning and has not been able to provide even 5% of its Rs 1 lakh crore budget for drought relief, he remarked. “I am ready for a public debate with the CM on developmental issues. I am here to ensure that the first BJP government in south India, is the last of the party,’’ the Valmiki community leader said.