Udupi: JD(S) to File Nomination for Bypoll on Feb 28 - Kumaraswamy

Shubhalakshmi
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Feb 24: "A meeting with Udupi and Chikmagalur JD(S) leaders will be convened on Sunday February 26. It has been decided to file the nomination for the upcoming Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll on February 28," said JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy.

He was speaking to reporters at the JD(S) office here on Friday February 24, on the occasion of his wife Anita Kumaraswamy's birthday.

Anita celebrated her special day by cutting a cake in the presence of media persons and JD(S) partymen. JD(S) district leaders who were present on the occasion felicitated the couple.

He admitted that the election would be important for the JD(S) and that the party would fire all guns in a bid to win it.

He also said that the JD(S) is contemplating on four names at the moment, and the choice would be between Madhu Bangarappa, Mahendra Kumar, Bhoje Gowda and Dharme Gowda.

JD(S) leaders of both districts are geared up for the elections and have unitedly taken this election as a challenge, he said, adding that the Left parties' support too would be sought.

He also predicted the downfall of BJP government before its term comes to an end, stating that BJP had disppointed the people who had voted for it. The voters are yearning for a change as they are fed up with BJP's scams and controversies. The BJP's internal conflicts will lead to the government's collapse any moment, he added.

Continuing his attack on the government, he said that BJP leaders themselves may put a 'full stop' to the goverment. "There is a lot of mistrust and greed for power among the BJP leaders in the state. Right from the time the ministry was first formed, there has been competition to secure plum positions in the cabinet, to the extent that their legislators even damaged property," he said, adding that such incidents were unprecendented in the state.

He also lashed out at the government for not giving proper attention to the flood-hit districts of north Karnataka, and instead going for a 'chintana mantana' programme at Puttur at the same time.

He also slammed Yeddyurappa's repeated 'deadlines' to the BJP high command to make him the chief minister, calling it ridiculous. Taking a potshot at Sadananda Gowda he said that a chief minister who has to repeatedly assert his position cannot win people's trust.

Kumaraswamy also pointed out that several elections had taken place during BJP's regime, which had not happened before. He said twenty bypolls had taken place so far, as many of the elected members were forced to resign. This in turn had its impact on the development of the state. "The BJP government is a government of failures," he said.

While stating that progress has been hit due to non-implementation of projects and schemes, he said the only 'achievement' of the government was in collecting heavy taxes, in the form of 14 percent VAT and other means. Nearly 70 percent of the promised projects in the budget have not materialised, he said, adding that the BJP is ruining the state by its non-performance.

He accused the government of cheating the public and challenged it to win people's confidence by going for a fresh mandate. The BJP should present itself before the people with dignity and honour, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Anita Kumaraswamy said that as per the wishes of her husband, they performed 'chandika homa' at Kollur before coming to Udupi.

Among those present were Udupi district president Deviprasad Shetty, working president Gulam Mohammed, women's wing president Shalini Shetty Kenchanoor and others.