Gulbarga: Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said on Saturday that the Government will go ahead with its idea of holding a Legislative Assembly session in northern Karnataka.

Addressing presspersons at Bankur in Chittapur taluk of Gulbarga after a rally organised by the Congress in connection with the panchayat elections, he said: "We will also try and develop a second capital for the State in the northern region."

He said decisions such as these do amount to violations of the model code of conduct for elections as they are old ideas being implemented now. The Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary (Law and Parliamentary affairs) have met State Election Commissioner (SEC) M.R. Hegde and briefed him about these announcements. "They told the SEC that the Government has not violated any provision of the code of conduct," said.

Mr. Dharam Singh alleged that the Janata Dal (Secular) ias taking credit for the development programmes initiated by the Congress. "Giving rice to ration shops for Rs. 3 a kg, allowing cooperative societies to give farm loans at six per cent interest, and providing midday meal in schools have been conceived and implemented by the Congress. But the Janata Dal (S) is confusing the voters on this issue," he said. He said there was no threat to elections from naxalites.

Earlier, during the rally, he said the Congress had to form a coalition government as it made "some mistakes" during the 2004 elections. "But the people want a one-party government by the Congress. They have understood our position and are supporting us in this election. We are hopeful they will support us in the coming Assembly polls too," he said.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President and Minister for Water Resources M. Mallikarjun Kharge said the panchayat elections have more to do with workers than leaders.

"What is important is not how leaders are benefited by the polls," Mr. Kharge said.

Later, the two leaders campaigned in Hunasagi in Surupur taluk, Kalagi in Chitapur taluk, Mahagaon in Gulbarga taluk and Yadrami in Jewargi taluk.

Mr. Dharam Singh and Mr. Kharge later addressed separate rallies in their constituencies — Jewargi and Gurumitkal.

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