Daijiworld Media Network - Ramanagara (SP)

Ramanagara, Jan 2: Beleaguered JDS state president, Kumaraswamy, has faced flak from another MLA of the party. Magadi MLA, H C Balakrishna, has blamed former chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy of being indirectly responsible for the defeat of JDS candidate, E Krishnappa in the council election. E Krishnappa had been fielded by the party as a JDS candidate from Bengaluru (rural) constituency.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday January 1, Balakrishna said that the BJP supporters of the constituency have a grouse against Kumaraswamy, as they feel that BJP candidate from Chikkaballapur constituency, Bachche Gowda, was defeated because of the fact that Kumaraswamy contested from that constituency as JDS candidate. "Because of this grouse, the BJP supporters have not cast their votes for Krishnappa. As votes of BJP went to Congress, JDS candidate was defeated. In line with the tactics employed by Congress for the election, JDS also should have formulated strategies to counter that party," he said.

Balakrishna has suggested to party leaders, H D Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy to give importance to local leadership towards strengthening the party at least from now onwards.