Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 9: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Saturday asserted that the Janata Dal (Secular) was responsible for introducing reservation benefits in Karnataka, while Congress is reaping its advantages today.

Speaking at a Women’s Day celebration at the JD-S state office, JP Bhavan, Gowda said, "We were the ones who introduced reservation for social justice and the underprivileged. However, today, Congress is enjoying its benefits."

He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in empowering women and vowed to organize at least 50 women’s gatherings across Karnataka to strengthen the party.

JD-S leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy echoed similar sentiments, highlighting his party’s role in passing the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha during Deve Gowda’s tenure, though it failed in the Lok Sabha due to lack of support from the RJD and Samajwadi Party. "Now, Modi has successfully passed it. That is true women empowerment," he said.

Former MLA Anita Kumaraswamy took a veiled dig at Congress leaders, particularly D.K. Suresh, claiming that development in Ramanagara was solely due to JD-S efforts, while Congress contributed "zero."

With JD-S leaders rallying behind Modi, the party is gearing up to bolster its presence ahead of the upcoming elections.