Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV) 

Mangaluru, Apr 24:  "We welcome anyone who has accepted our ideology to join our party. We accept anyone who follows our party leadership," said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. 

Addressing journalists here on Monday, April 24, and while reacting to queries from media persons with regard to BJP leader KS Eshwarappa’s statement that Jagadish Shettar will come back to the BJP, he said, “ I can't predict prophecies or we have not taken anyone to the party by checking their blood. We accept anyone who accepts Congress's ideology and leadership of the party.”

Reacting to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's remark that Siddaramaiah's statement on Lingayats will add to the BJP’s tally, Kharge said, "If he has said that they will form a government based on Siddaramaiah's statement on the Lingayats, it is clear that the BJP has not done any developmental work. He has failed to say that the party will come to power through their work.”

He said, “If he (chief minister Bommai) claims that the BJP will come to power over Siddaramaiah's statement it speaks of frustration. They are not in a winning position. So they are making such statements. All political parties work on their ideologies. If any party fights elections on the basis of caste or religion, it is not good for the country as well as for democracy. We all should speak under the purview of the law. If such statements are made it is not good for the country and for the society.”

Kharge said he had come here to partake in the election campaign for the party.