For remaining term, this Karnataka-MP wants to focus on key-areas
What's the story
Newly-elected Congress MP from Karnataka's Ballari, V S Ugrappa, today said he'd focus on drinking water, health, and infrastructure in the remaining five months of his tenure. Ugrappa won the Ballari seat in the recent Lok Sabha by-polls by a margin of over 2.43L votes, defeating BJP's J Shantha. He'll take oath as the Member of Parliament during the winter session of the House.
Details
'I'll not say I'll bring big reforms in next five-months'
Ugrappa said there hasn't been any development in Ballari and there are many problems like farmers distress, poverty, unemployment among others. "I'll not say that I'll bring big reforms in the next five months. I'll at least focus on priority issues," he told reporters. The priority areas could be providing safe drinking water, health, better roads besides ensuring procurement of paddy, he said.
2019 elections
Ugrappa believes Kannadigas in favor of Congress-JD(S) alliance
Ugrappa, close aide of former-CM Siddaramaiah, also indicated that he might get the ticket to contest in the 2019 General elections from the same constituency, considering he won in the by-poll with a huge margin. The by-poll results will have an impact on the 2019 elections, he said, adding the mood of the people in Karnataka was in favor of the ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance.
Information
Ballari constituency is reserved for ST candidates
The Ballari constituency, which had remained a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stronghold since 2004, is reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST). Ballari, 311 km from the state capital of Bangalore, is one of the 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the southern state.