Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Oct 9: "The claim that I had appreciated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the past is nothing but pure lies. I have nothing to do with the RSS. One should set some limit before telling lies and this is absurd," said JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda. He was addressing a press meet which was held at the party office, J P Bhavan, in the city on Friday October 8.
"When I was the chief minister, a programme had been held in the banquet hall of Vidhan Soudha. Former deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, was present there. We had spoken about having been jailed during the emergency," he recalled.
He rebuked the Congress for blaming the JD(S) for fielding Muslim candidates in Hangal and Sindagi constituencies. He angrily wanted to know whether the Congress holds exclusive right to field the Muslims. He recalled that the party had fielded a Muslim candidate in Basavakalyana too even though Narayana Rao, his close associate, was also in the race. He said that he never gave importance to one's caste or religion before grooming them to be good leaders. He said he will undertake a campaign in the assembly election in favour of the party candidate for a week in Sindagi. He added that he will not go to Hangal.
He recalled that when the assembly was hung, he had suggested to make Mallikarjun Kharge the chief minister and that Kharge had agreed. "Ghulam Nabi Azad too said he would convince Sonia Gandhi but later, the Congress leaders offered the post to Kumaraswamy," he recalled.
In the meanwhile, social welfare minister B Sriramulu, said that the RSS is a patriotic organization which does not meddle with the government. Former chief minister Yediyurappa, said he will discuss with Kumaraswamy and try to clear his misconceptions as he seems to have uttered something without actually meaning it. Union minister for social justice and empowerment, A Narayana Swamy, wanted to know whether Kumaraswamy was unaware of the BJP principles when he struck an understanding and formed coalition government with the BJP.