The special package today is the hottest topic in the State with a former minister pooh-poohing the whole idea and a legislator-in-the-making defending it.

Hitting out at the Rs 3,300 crore package, former Rural Development Minister M P Prakash wants to know does the State have the money, where will it come from? It is just a way to hoodwink people, he charges.

The package includes Rs 2,500 crore for the Vijayanagar Thermal Power Station which is to be set up near Kudathini in Bellary. Prakash argues, Vijayanagar project is an ongoing project, the foundation stone for which was laid by former chief minister early this year.

Besides, Prakash says, since Rs 33 crore for drinking water project for Bellary, Rs 46 crore for UGD scheme and Rs 59 crore project for Ring Road project was alreadyokayed by the previous Janata Dal Government, only Rs 600 crore from the package remains. Even this amount cannot be adjusted by diverting funds, he said.

But, former MP K C Kondaiah disagrees. He says, "loans would be taken from institutions like NABARD and banks and we will pursue these projects and see to it that they are implemented within 2-3 years." Kondaiah said the package had been prepared on the basis of the district administration's report.

According to S Prasanna Kumar, Communist Party of India (Marxist) district secretary, when Sonia had no courtesy even to thank the voters who had elected her, the statements of Congress leaders that Sonia had a special concern for Bellary rings false. People will believe the announcement only when they see it unfolding, he adds.

As for reactions from the people of Bellary, it seemed a little mixed. For some, this is one more election stunt with the Lok Sabha by-election just round the corner.