From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 11: Deputy chief minister and KPCC chief D K Shivakumar predicted a clean sweep by the ruling Congress party in all three assembly by-elections and accused the BJP of conspiring to disrupt successful guarantee schemes.

Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, "Deve Gowda has given out a message that the BJP is conspiring to discontinue guarantee schemes."

Responding to Deve Gowda's statement that the Gruhalakshmi scheme will be discontinued after the by-election, he declared, "It is not in the destiny of the opposition parties to stop our guarantee schemes. We are providing the monthly Gruhalakshmi allowance to ease the burden of millions of families. The BJP and JDS are conspiring to stop the scheme, and people need to be cautious."

The KPCC chief expressed confidence that the Congress party would secure all three assembly by-election seats. "The people of Karnataka have embraced our governance and our guarantee schemes. The Congress party will win all three seats this time. Despite the BJP's conspiracies, people will support the Congress party just as they did in the assembly elections," he said.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation of collecting Rs 700 crore in the Excise department, he said, "This is a baseless allegation. Some people have misled him. The chief minister has challenged the PM, stating he would quit politics if the allegation is proven. What more is needed?"

On Union minister Prahlad Joshi's claim that Justice Cunha was acting like an agent of the Congress government, he said, "Everything is acceptable if a report favours them, but they oppose it if it doesn't. It is the BJP that is engaging in vendetta politics."

He added, "Priyanka Gandhi's victory in Wayanad is certain. Even the opposition leaders have expressed their support for her and would like to see her as the MP. It is a one-sided election."