Ramanagara, Oct 26 (IANS): On JD-S leader and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's accusation that Congress doesn’t have a candidate and thus “hijacked” former BJP MLC C P Yogeshwara, Congress leader D.K. Suresh on Saturday said, "Yogeshwara has contested elections nine times and served as MLA five times. You (Kumaraswamy) schemed to send Yogeshwara out to position your son in the election. Don’t blame Congress now after you pushed him out."

Asked about statements alleging conspiracies to defeat Congress candidates, he replied: "The conspiracy makers are in the BJP. Should we say that conspiracies are being planned in former CM B.S. Yediyurappa’s home? Why did they go to his house if not to conspire? This is all part of the political process. They are doing their work, and we are doing ours. You (Kumaraswamy) toured around for your son’s entry into politics and have now fielded him in the election. We are fighting our battle."

On whether there is any dissatisfaction in the constituency, he replied: "There is no dissatisfaction among us. We are all working together in unity. Whoever the party nominates, they represent us all. Even now, we are saying the same thing. Here, the candidate is not Yogeshwara; it is Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar himself. So, vote for Congress."

Asked if he is taking complete responsibility, he maintained: "We are all contesting the election under the leadership of district in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy."