Siddaramaiah Highlights Role Of Women Congress Members Ahead Of April 9 Bypolls

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday urged women Congress members to play a pivotal role in the party’s upcoming by-elections in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, emphasizing their influence in mobilizing public support for government initiatives. The call came during an executive meeting and training camp organized by the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress.

Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah highlighted the importance of women in spreading awareness about the government’s pro-people schemes. He instructed the formation of two dedicated teams of women party members to actively campaign in the bypoll constituencies. The Chief Minister also recalled the Congress’s previous by-election successes in Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur, expressing confidence that the party will retain both seats in April.

Siddaramaiah underscored the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, noting schemes such as Shakti, which has facilitated 700 crore journeys for women, and Gruha Lakshmi, providing monthly financial assistance of ₹2,000 to 1.26 crore women, enhancing their economic independence and social standing. He stressed that these measures have increased women’s purchasing power and self-confidence, further enabling their participation in public and political life.

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Quoting Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Chief Minister emphasized that true freedom is achieved only when gender discrimination and inequality are eliminated. He also highlighted the leadership potential of women and noted that the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress currently has over one lakh members, with plans to expand to two lakh.

The by-elections, necessitated by the deaths of former ministers Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South) and H.Y. Meti (Bagalkote), are scheduled for April 9. Both constituencies had been strongholds for the Congress, but the contests are expected to be fiercely competitive, as the opposition BJP has pledged to secure both seats.

Siddaramaiah’s remarks come amid internal party debates over candidate selection in Davanagere South, with ministers B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan and S.S. Mallikarjun expressing differing views. Meanwhile, the BJP has already convened its core committee to finalize candidates, signaling an intense electoral battle in the state.

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