Karnataka: JD(S), Congress present united face, plan joint election rally on March 31
Bengaluru: In a desperate attempt to paper over the differences on the contentious seat-sharing pact that has seen top leaders and workers of Congress and JD (S), working at cross-purposes, the coalition partners on Tuesday publicly put up a show of unity.
Not only did they announce that under the leadership of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, they would restrict a "communal" BJP to a single digit show in next month's Lok Sabha polls, JD(S) supremo Mr H.D. Deve Gowda said that differences in all 28 constituencies between the two sides would be resolved before nominations are filed.
"There may be questions now as to what is happening in Mandya or Mysuru and so on. Everything will be settled,'' Mr. Gowda said adding that a rally planned on March 31 would put an end to speculation on the longevity of the coalition government.
The show of unity commences with a rally on March 31 at an as yet unspecified location, with Mr Gandhi, JD (S) president H D Deve Gowda and other leaders of both parties to send across a message of unity to the voters as well as workers of Congress and Dal (S). In addition, there will be a series of joint press conferences and two-member team of observers in each of the 28 constituencies. This was decided at a joint meeting attended by Mr Deve Gowda, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, former chief minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao and others.
These leaders also declined to announce the final list of candidates as part of the 20-8 seat-sharing pact announced last week.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, Mr Gowda said Mr Modi spoke lightly about Mahagathbandhan, which took birth in Karnataka, and visible in at least 15 states. Though some differences are palpable among partners of Mahagathbandan, the common goal would be to keep the BJP away from power in New Delhi. Mr Modi would get a fitting reply from these partners in forthcoming parliament polls, he added.
Earlier, Mr Siddaramaiah said the decision of coalition partners fighting the BJP jointly was not recent, but arrived at soon during formation of the coalition government last year. Mr Gandhi and himself would accompany Mr Gowda during electioneering and to convince party workers to shun their differences in the run up to elections, he added.
HDD’s guessing game
Mr Deve Gowda continued to maintain the suspense over this constituency with his remarks: "I am still thinking about it.
During my last speech in parliament, I had said this might be my last speech. However, there is pressure not only from within the state, but also from New Delhi. They feel that I am senior and my guidance is required in parliament. I am still weighing my thoughts, and will take a decision in a day or two,'' he added.
Asked about his intention to return to Hassan, Mr Gowda remarked : "I had told Mr Prajwal three years ago that I will be vacating my seat for him. I am already 86 and will be turning 87 in two or three months. So, there is no question of contesting from Hassan,'' he but ducked a question on whether his choice would be Tumakuru or Bengaluru (North).
Siddu, HDK defend action
Defending police action against techies at Manyata Tech Park on Monday evening, when some shouted slogans in support of Mr Modi during an interaction of Mr Rahul Gandhi with entrepreneurs, Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr Kumaraswamy lambasted the leadership of BJP and RSS.
Denying any arrests, Mr Siddaramaiah said if anyone was arrested, there should be a FIR and the person should to be produced before a magistrate. Nothing of that sort occurred on Monday evening. Besides, it was RSS and BJP leaders who had instigated the techies. ``They should realise that we can also disrupt functions of Mr Modi in the state," warned Mr Siddaramaiah.
Mr Kumaraswamy hit back at BJP president Mr Amit Shah for his tweet saying: ``I advise Mr Amit Shah to instruct his supporters to behave properly in public. It is their responsibility. Do they have any decency? When some other party's programme is on, they should behave decently,'' he added.
