JD(S) looks to shed rural bias' to woo urbanites

Bengaluru: With an eye on the 2018 Assembly polls, Janata Dal (Secular) wants to shed its rural image in order to make inroads into urban areas to consolidate its position in the next 18 months.

“All these years, our party was dubbed as rural based with no active presence in cities. Our main focus will be to change our style of functioning to prove that my party is also interested in development of urban areas on par with rural areas,” State JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy told Deccan Chronicle.

In the run-up to the coming Assembly polls, the party will bring out booklets on the achievements of Mr Kumaraswamy’s 20-month government in the state in 2006-07 and the number of projects launched during his tenure to improve infrastructure in Bengaluru city. The projects would have been completed had his government being given a chance to complete the full term of five years. Unfortunately, nothing is happening in the state in the last ten years during BJP and Congress rule, Mr Kumaraswamy said.

Blaming other parties for its failure and for corruption does not fetch votes, so JD(S) will campaign on the development agenda. Of late, people have slowly started understanding the failure of both national parties in ensuring justice. While BJP is riddled with internal bickering, the ruling Congress is facing anti-incumbency. The JD(S) wants to impress voters that there is a regional party which is wedded to the cause of development of one and all. The recent controversy over building a steel flyover in Bengaluru despite strong public opinion has proved how 'insensitive' the incumbent government is to the voice of voters, he said.

Mr Kumaraswamy said the next six months would be crucial for the JD(S) to make its presence felt in the state for which he would be touring all 224 Assembly constituency to rejuvenate the rank and file. “I will be embarking on the state tour from Nov 1 and over the next five to six months, I plan to  mingle with people from all sections”.