Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 6: Former deputy chief minister (DCM) of Karnataka and BJP leader, R Ashok, criticised former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda for claiming every time that it would be his last election and then taking back his words. "Now he claims that he has been compelled to enter the election fray because of the insistence by the Congress. Do you think Deve Gowda has ever listened to what advice Congress leaders gave to him so far?" he questioned.
In a statement issued in the city, Ashok came down heavily on the state government for withdrawing a number of cases including the one relating to communal clashes in Ulaibettu. He felt that the Congress, through this move, has been indulging in communal politics. He criticised Congress for indulging in politics in such issues particularly when election is round the corner.
Ashok referred to the part of the election manifesto released by Congress party in which it has said that it would withdraw cases registered against people for treason. He stressed that moves like this will only result in increased incidents of treason. At the same time, he cautioned that just by wearing saffron shawl, Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha seat Congress candidate Mithun Rai, cannot earn the goodwill and trust of the people.
On the reported absence of Ashok in campaign meetings for Bengaluru (south) BJP candidate, Tejasvi Surya, Ashok reminded that he was the one who inaugurated the campaign. He said he and other leaders of the party will work with total dedication and devotion for the success of the party candidate and stressed that Tejasvi Surya will win with a huge margin. "We did not deny opportunity to Tejaswini because of family politics issue, he clarified.
Referring to election in Mandya, Ashok said he strongly believes that Sumalatha Ambareesh will register an emphatic victory there. He noted that local leaders have been campaigning for her and referred to JD(S) leaders who have been repeatedly launching scathing attack on her as Kauravas. He said that former Prime Minister, current chief minister, and former chief minister are among the Kauravas who have been fighting against this lone woman.