Bengaluru: State Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Monday that nothing had been finalised about Congress heavyweights like Satish Jarkiholi, A.H. Vishwanath and C.M. Ibrahim joining his party.
Speaking to reporters here he disclosed that Mr Ibrahim had met his party national president, H.D. Deve Gowda a week ago and Mr Vishwanath had said he would consult his supporters before taking a call on joining the Janata Dal (Secular).
“But the Congress will try to retain him. I think a clear picture will emerge in another three or four days,” he added.
Asked how the Janata Dal (Secular) could induct Mr Vishwanath when he has been a bitter critic of both him and his father, Mr Kumaraswamy shot back, “What did Mr Siddaramaiah speak against the late Indira Gandhi when he was in the Janata Dal (Secular) or what did Mr Yeddyurappa say against the Bharatiya Janata Party when he formed the KJP? And where are they now? Mr Vishwanath has criticised our policies but has never made personal attacks.”
Mr Kumaraswamy hinted that the party would give Mr Vishwanath a big post if he joined it.
Moving on, he explained that his party had decided to send observers to all the districts to interact with local party workers and set up booth level committees representing all the communities in the villages.
“The observers will be monitored by a state level committee headed by Suresh Babu. The entire process will be completed in two months,” he explained. Asked why the party had not announced its list of candidates for the assembly polls yet, Mr Kumaraswamy said that party chief Deve Gowda was keen on setting up booth level committees first, but a list of 150 candidates was ready.
