From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Ramanagara (Channapatna), Mar 14: When JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda’s son-in-law Dr C N Manjunath is contesting Lok Sabha polls on another party’s name and symbol, the JD(S) workers must decide on their future and their next course of action, said Bengaluru Rural Congress MP D K Suresh.
D K Suresh is the younger brother of Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC chief D K Shivakumar.
Speaking to media persons at Channapatana on Thursday, March 14, Suresh said he welcomes Dr Manjunath entering politics.
“I have known Dr Manjunath as a cardiologist and chief of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology. But I don’t know him as a politician,” he said adding as far he was concerned Dr Manjunath, the politician and BJP candidate, is a member of the Deve Gowda family.
When reporters pointed out that Dr Manjunath was a mild personality, Suresh said: "I am not concerned about the politician Dr Manjunath. But it is evident that Dr Manjunath has himself decided that Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy’s JD(S) party is useless and he is contesting from BJP. If Deve Gowda’s son-in-law has made up his mind that JD(S) is good for nothing and has chosen another party, it is left to JD(S) workers to decide their next course of action.’’
Asked if he believes that JD(S) is losing ground by aligning with BJP, Suresh said: "I don’t know about that. But Deve Gowda’s son-in-law is entering politics and contesting from another party on its name and symbol.”
“I don’t know whether he (Dr Manjunath) is contesting from BJP on Deve Gowda’s advice. But it is evident that his (Deve Gowda) own family members have given their verdict,” he remarked.
To a question on what the JD(S) workers should do, Suresh said when Deve Gowda’s family members indicate that the party does not exist, it is left to the party workers to decide their future.
Answering questions on Kumaraswamy’s statement that all should work together to teach a lesson to Kanakapura’s villains, he made it clear that he will give a fitting reply after filing the nomination papers.
“I am the son of Bengaluru Rural district. I have worked as the brother and family member of the people. I have worked for the welfare of farmers and people. I appeal to everybody to join hands with me and support me,” he said.
Replying to a pointed question on the disaffection and anger of JD(S) grassroot workers at the JD(S)-BJP alliance, Suresh said he was unaware of that. “I know how to serve the people. I have worked for them and ask them for their support,” he said
Suresh said he does not know if Dr Manjunath is being a “sacrificial lamb” and said it is left to the people to decide.
The Congress MP said BJP has denied tickets to Pratap Simha and Nalin Kumar Kateel, who have toiled to build BJP. “Those who threatened to shoot me have been given BJP ticket. I don’t know what happens to those who wanted to change the Constitution. Who knows what will happen when tickets to all the 28 seats are decided?,” he quipped.
Answering a question on Pratap Simha’s comment that D K Suresh is a good worker, the Congress leader said: “I don’t bother about party label. When somebody does good work for the people, I support. But I oppose those who oppose me.”