Chitradurga: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted on Tuesday that it was as strong as a rock and opposition leaders were merely dreaming of regaining power in the state, ridiculing former Chief  Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa’s claim that his government would not complete its term.

In the district to launch work on the Chitradurga branch canal of the Upper Bhardra project, he refused  to respond to “unfounded allegations” against his government and  said he intended to concentrate on winning  hearts by carrying out pro-people and farmer friendly projects.

“Only the people have the power to give us power and to wrest it back, not others,” he declared.

Revealing that around Rs 11,300 crore would be set aside in the 2015-16 budget for irrigation projects, Mr. Siddaramaiah pointed out that this was more than the Rs 10,000 crore earmarked for them last year. “As  promised  during the assembly poll, the government will complete all pending irrigation projects,” he added.

Noting that the Upper Bhadra project was the biggest  in middle Karnataka requiring investment of Rs.12,340 crore, he revealed that  a proposal had been submitted to the Union government to declare it a national project.

“If the Centre accepts this, we will get additional funds for the project, which will irrigate  5,50,000 acres,”  he  said.