BJP to develop N Karnataka, says Vajpayee

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Tuesday pitched the BJP’s case in Karnataka, citing river-linking, roads, peace and priority development of the state’s northern regions as reasons for voting for the party.

‘‘If the BJP comes to power, it will change the map of North Karnataka,’’ he said a poll meeting in Belgaum. Alleging neglect of the area by successive governments, he said equal treatment had to be given to all areas of the state.

He said the Centre had sent food grains to Karnataka for drought relief, but it did not reach the poor because of improper management by the state government.