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DKS-BSY combine trying to beat JD(S)? HD Deve Gowda cries foul

Former PM suspects Cong-BJP pact to ensure their Rajya Sabha candidates' victory.

Bengaluru: Janata Dal (S) supremo, H.D. Deve Gowda came down hard on the Congress on Wednesday for opposing his party’s call for countermanding the Rajya Sabha elections despite the media exposing the horsetrading involved for votes.

“Despite the horsetrading the Congress wants the elections to be conducted as per schedule and state president, Yeddyurappa too wants the same,” he noted, charging that the two parties were keen on the elections only because they had arrived at a pact to ensure the victories of their candidates.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Energy Minister, D.K. Shivakumar and Yeddyurappa have come to an understanding,” he alleged, speaking to reporters here. He also accused AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, of instigating JD(S) rebel MLA, Zameer Ahamed Khan to trigger the horsetrading. “All he wants is for the JD(S) to lose and come to his doorsteps the next morning. But we will fight to save the party. Have you seen any of our MLAs, barring 4-5 rebels going to the Congress or BJP leaders' houses?'' Mr Gowda asked.

Claiming that Mr Siddaramaiah had never attacked Mr Yeddyurappa when he was Chief Minister, and the latter too was being careful not to target him in return,he remarked, "They think I don't know their connections.''

Wondering how the Congress with only 31 surplus votes, could field a third candidate, he demanded, “How do they expect to win? They take MLAs to Mumbai and for what? You call that horse trading or donkey trading?'' He said the Congress had hit such a low that it needed signed affidavits from its West Bengal MLAs to ensure loyalty.

‘Why postpone the polls, we will win’
State BJP president, B.S. Yeddyurappa, on Wednesday expressed confidence that independent MLAs would help all three candidates of his party- one for Rajya Sabha and two for the Legislative Council- win elections, and opposed the demand for countermanding these polls.

He told the media here the party got requisite number of votes to register a comfortable victory in polls to both Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Council. “For the second Council seat, we are in touch with independents. I am confident that Mr Lehar Singh, our second candidate, will win the elections", Mr. Yeddyurappa.

Replying to another question, he said, “There is no strategy except convincing independent and like minded MLAs. I have already spoken to independent MLAs. There is no need for countermanding the elections. It does not serve any purpose because the same MLAs would vote again if the elections are postponed.” He hinted that he was least bothered about criticism about his style of functioning, adding that he would not entertain 'visiting card' office bearers in the party.

While addressing a meeting of OBC and SC Morcha leaders here, Mr. Yeddyurappa said he would build strong organization at state level, district and each Assembly segment. Emphasizing the need for strong state level committees, district committees and Assembly level committees to build the organisation, Mr. Yeddyurappa said: “Regarding appointing of district presidents, discussions are going on, and within 4-5 days, new district unit presidents will be appointed. In coming days, responsibilities will be given to new faces, particularly those who are popular,” he said adding “I don’t want office bearers who want posts for mere visiting cards.”

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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