From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 27: JD(S) laeder Nikhil Kumaraswamy has taken a sharp dig at his political rival, former minister C P Yogeshwara, terming him a “political dealer” for his alleged attempts to undermine the JD(S). Yogeshwara, who won from Channapatna on a Congress ticket after resigning as BJP MLC, has been accused of threatening to destroy the JD(S).

Nikhil, who has faced three consecutive defeats in elections, addressed a letter to JD(S) workers, urging them to remain steadfast. He vowed not to succumb to despondency or remain silent despite his defeat in Channapatna.

“Our party and its workers are brave enough to withstand the shock of defeats and will rise again. We will never bow down to political dealers who jump from party to party during elections to fill their pockets. We will fight against such forces,” he declared.

Nikhil warned that JD(S) MLAs and leaders are not commodities to be bought in the political market using ill-gotten wealth.

Reflecting on his defeat as the NDA candidate in Channapatna, he described the loss as “totally unexpected” despite vigorous campaigning by his grandfather H D Deve Gowda, father and Union minister H D Kumaraswamy, and BJP leaders, including B S Yediyurappa.

“The JD(S) has faced many setbacks but will rise like a phoenix after every debacle. I am merely a fellow traveller in the long journey of the JDS,” he said, affirming that the JD(S) and BJP will continue their alliance to counter the Congress.

Nikhil alleged that the ruling Congress won over voters by disbursing Gruha Lakshmi payments of Rs 4,000 for two months just before the elections. He added that the decision of Muslims to shift their support from the JDS-BJP alliance to Congress also played a crucial role in tilting the scales.

However, he expressed confidence that the JD(S) would recover and defeat the Congress in upcoming elections.