Shimoga : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the Congress has chalked out strategies to tackle Narendra Modi factor during the coming Lok Sabha polls.

“We have discussed Modi factor in the core committee meeting held recently. I am confident that Modi factor will have no impact in the State in the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP has believed that Modi will bring the NDA back to power at the Centre.

But, it will not turn into a reality under any circumstance. The Congress will retain power at the Centre, ” Siddaramaiah said after he was felicitated at a programme organised by the District Congress Committee at the party office here.

Referring to the illegal mining carried out by influential people in the State, he said “the state government has already handed over illegal mining scam cases to the CBI and other special investigation agencies. In 2010, we had taken out a padayatra from Bangalore to Bellary demanding action against those involved in illegal mining. So, there is no question of we going back on our stand on illegal mining. The Cabinet has decided to set up special courts for the trial of illegal mining cases.”

Earlier, replying to a journalist’s query on Sowjanya murder case, he said, “the CID is investigating the case. We would take the next step after receiving the report. We have the highest regard for Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade as he has been part of various social welfare activities for the past several years.”

Narayana Guru Jayanthi : Siddaramaiah said the State government would soon take a decision on celebrating Narayana Guru Jayanthi as an official function from next year. Inaugurating the Narayana Guru’s 159th birth anniversary celebrations jointly organised by District Arya Ediga Association and Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi Celebration Reception Committee here, he said “there is a demand from the Ediga community leaders to celebrate the birth anniversary of Narayana Guru as a government programme and we would take an appropriate decision in this regard.”

He said the government has set up Narayana Guru study chair in Mangalore University and Rs two crore has been earmarked for the purpose in the budget.