Mrinal Hebbalkar, the Congress candidate, expressed their aim to compete in the election with the objective of genuinely transforming Belgaum into a smart city.
During an election campaign rally in different areas of Belgaum city on Friday evening, he mentioned that the BJP has held power in Belgaum for the last thirty years, but development has been stagnant. He criticized BJP for failing to advance development and failing to reach out to the people directly. They advised voters against supporting them and condemned Prime Minister Modi for urging voters to vote for him personally, considering it a betrayal to the constituency’s residents.
“The weak MP is being rejected; We demand a strong MP. During our mother, Secretary Lakshmi Hebbalakar’s participation in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP used to propagate a slogan. Essentially, it implied that if Modi is dominant, the MP must be ineffective. However, our stance today is different; we advocate for a potent MP instead. Only with a robust MP can progress be achieved, ensuring employment opportunities for all of us young individuals,” Hebbalkar criticized the BJP for their stance against their candidate.
“We all feel proud to designate Belgaum as the secondary capital of the state. Presently, major industries are relocating to Hubballi-Dharwad, along with significant institutions like the High Court and IIT College. All the employment opportunities for our youth are also shifting to Hubballi. It’s essential to reflect on who is responsible for this shift. Unfortunately, even the opposing candidates hail from Hubballi. If we aim for any progress or development in the region, it inevitably gravitates towards Hubballi. Hence, it’s crucial to ponder over this and make decisions accordingly,” Mrinal emphasized.
“It’s time for the astute residents of the area to comprehend. Do you prefer locals or individuals from distant places?” was their query to the public, highlighting the significance of the identity and pride of the people in our Belgaum district. Hence, this time around, I urge you to consider supporting your own son. The needs of Belgaum are well-known; having been born and raised here, I grasp the nuances of the community, speak all the local dialects, and hold an engineering background. I’ve closely observed the endeavors of our dedicated Minister Lakshmi Hebbalakar and have gained valuable insights. My aim is to steer Belgaum towards becoming a smart city in the foreseeable future, collaborating with all the legislators for the district’s progress. They all bestowed their blessings,” shared Mrinal Hebbalkar.
A gathering organized by the Municipal Workers’ Union in Nehru Nagar saw campaign events held in various neighborhoods including Sadashiv Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Shivabasava Nagar, Ramteerth Nagar, and Kanabargi. Among the attendees were Laxmi Hebbalkar, the Minister for Women and Child Development, along with legislators Raju Setth, Channaraj Hattiholi, and former MLAs S.C. Malagi and Shashikant Nayak. District Congress President Vinay Navalagatte, along with several other dignitaries and advocates, were also present at the event.
