DHNS

Mangalore, Nov 22: "If Congress leaders take the initiative of the proposed rail roko on November 24, demanding the commencement of Mangalore-Bangalore train service, we will back them," said BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, he said "the Bangalore-Mangalore train passes through even H D Deve Gowda’s constituency.  JD(S) Supremo has time to hatch plot against the government, time to wait for Sonia Gandhi. Instead of hatching plots in politics, why can’t he urge for the commencement of Mangalore-Bangalore train service."  "Let Sonia Gandhi come or George Bush come for the inauguration of the train service.

But officials should not postpone the commencement of the train by citing a reason that leaders do not have time for the inauguration," Mr Gowda said. "I will be responsible for the consequences of rail roko. I have already informed railway officials over the proposed rail roko. As many as 15,000 people are expected to participate  and will not allow the movement of any train. If they want to initiate action against the protesters, let them take action on me and I am ready to go to jail in this regard."

Performance, not sympathy poll criterion, says DV

"BJP will not face the forthcoming Assembly election on sympathy ground. But we will stand by our performance and organisational set up," said BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, he said "sympathy will be one of the issues in election."

To a query on whether BJP will continue with ‘Dharmayathre,’ Mr Gowda said "there will be no ‘Dharmayathre.’ In this political situation, election is the only solution. So we will face the ‘war’ of election."

"When the JD(S) failed to transfer the power to BJP, we had organised ‘Dharmayathre,’ unfortunately, they fell into our feet just like the way Bharatha fell on the feet of Bahubali seeking pardon. So we don’t have any regret for having entered coalition with the JD(S) for the second time."

The local body elected representatives convention will be held in Bangalore on December 1. BJP Working Committee meeting will be held on December 8 and 9.