Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 12: State JD(S) president and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday February 12 expressed confidence about winning the state Assembly elections in 2018, and said that if voted to power, his party would prioritize development of Mangaluru port and take action to withdraw the controversial Yettinahole project.

Addressing reporters at Circuit House during his visit to the city en route Koppa, Kumaraswamy said, "We are confident of dominating the next Assembly elections. If we win, we will definitely prirotize the development of Mangaluru port. There is a possibility of a few leaders from other parties joining the JD(S)."

Asked whether former union minister S M Krishna, who recently quit Congress, may join JD(S), Kumaraswamy said that his party had not approached Krishna.

Referring to the statement made by chief minister Siddaramaiah that regional parties have no future, Kumaraswamy said, "I do not need any certificate from Siddaramaiah about our future. We are confident that we will definitely win the upcoming elections. A recent survey suggested that JD(S) will aquire 45 to 60 seats.

"Negativity is being created in the minds of the people because of the behavioural attitude of the two national parties. People are fed up and expect regional party to take control of the state. JD(S) is looking forward to provide a growth-oriented and youth oriented governance, and also curb unemployment," he said.

Asked about his party's stand on Yettinahole project, he said, "People have staged several protests demanding withdrawal of Yettinahole project. Even during state sessions, I have repeatedly said that there is no water in Yettinahole. BJP has no right to protest against the issue as during the tenure of Sadananda Gowda the project was approved with an estimated budget of Rs 8,046 crore, and later Congress revised it to Rs 12,000 crore. This is nothing but one of the most corruption-filled project of recent times, and I know the consequences of the project. If I win the elections, I will take stringent action regarding the issue. Now if I start protesting against the issue, then other regional parties will take it the other way."

Criticising the state government, Kumaraswamy said, "Karnataka does not seem to be in good condition as there are lot of problems looming around, but the state government has shown lack of concern towards these problems. Karnataka is severely affected by drought. Even Dakshina Kannada is among the district affected.

"When it comes to drought, BJP says that the union has sanctioned funds but the state government did not use it, on the other hand, the Congress is blaming the union government of not sanctioning funds.

"The DK district has witnessed protests over Yettinahole project and toll collection. But both the national parties are totally neglecting the people here and no concrete measures have been taken to resolve the issues. Both the parties are busy blaming each other rather than concentrating on important issues in the state," he said.

He also slammed the union government on demonetisation, terming it a 'foolish' move.

Speaking on building JD(S) in the district, he said, "We are going to strengthen JD(S) in the Dakshina Kannada. We have formed core committee and we have 1,766 booths with 20 sub-booths. Youths who represent JD(S) have been given one year's time to show their capabilities in their respective booths.

"In DK, we are organizing a lot of programmes to strengthen our regional party. In recent times the conflict between the two national parties has made it easier for regional party to come back strongly," he said.