Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 1: Breaking his silence for the first time after the election result was announced, Karnataka chief minister (CM), H D Kumaraswamy, said that he is depressed with the result but is concentrating on development now.

About his meeting with Rahul Gandhi, he said Rahul asked him to continue with popular programmes and assured him of full support. "He told me he has already discussed all issues with K C Venugopal, Siddaramaiah, and other senior leaders of the party. I told him that the country is in need of the Congress and urged him to continue as its president, as member of Nehru family alone can lead the party ahead,” he said.

On the real reasons behind the failure of the coalition government, he said his family takes defeats with positive spirit and Deve Gowda is known to emerge stronger after defeat and he has proved this time and again. On the question of family politics, he said no party has the moral right to speak on this issue."We did not expect defeat in Mandya and Tumakuru. Voters will realize their mistake in a couple of months. I do not wish to delve deep into reasons for our defeat in Mandya now," he stated. He felt that there is no need for BJP leaders to be proud of their electoral achievement. He added that he would visit villages and other places and try to solve problems on the spot.

Kumaraswamy said the result of the local bodies election has brought cheers to him.

Kumaraswamy said that the BJP's plan of rising to power in state will not work. About his expectations from the new central government, he expressed happiness at four from the state being included in the ministry and said he expects more grants and for this, he would be leading a delegation to New Delhi soon.