Rajiv martyr, Urs champion of marginalized, says Siddu

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday heaped praise on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and ex-Chief Minister Devaraj Urs on their birth anniversaries.

He said that both figures, although deceased, left their mark on the state, the country and the party.

“After Indira Gandhi became a martyr, Rajiv Gandhi, who inevitably entered politics, became a martyr like his mother for the sake of the integrity of the country. Rajiv Gandhi equipped Indians to face the challenges of the 21st century,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Castes who were unable to even dream of Vidhana Soudha, could win and enter the Legislative Assembly because of Devaraj Urs,” the CM added.

He was speaking at the birth anniversary functions of both figures at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru on Sunday.

“Rajiv Gandhi, who was a visionary leader, reduced the voting age to 18 years. Through this he ensured that the youth could take part in shaping the future of the country and take up the great responsibility of strengthening the democratic system,” Siddaramaiah said.

“He amended the constitution and introduced reservation in local bodies. Rajiv Gandhi was the first to expand the opportunity for women’s political representation on a large scale.

All women in politics today should remember Rajiv Gandhi. Every woman of the country should understand that 50 per cent reservation for women was made possible by Rajiv Gandhi,” he added.

‘BJP produced no martryrs’

“Only the Congress has the history of struggle and of sacrificing and attaining martyrdom. BJP or Sangh Parivar does not have this kind of history.

The BJP has expertise at making grand speeches. BJP and Sangh Parivar have no role in nation building. The country cannot be built with speeches alone,” he said.