Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 19: "Either they are disgruntled with the JD(S) or afraid of us. The Congress is more agitated against the JD(S) than the BJP. But no one can buy the family of Deve Gowda with money power," said former chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy. He was speaking at an electioneering meeting organised for the party's candidate from Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency on Sunday, October 18. Apparently, he was livid at the information that party leader Madhu Bangarappa and Shivamogga (rural) MLA Sarada Pooryanaik were planning to leave the party to join the Congress.

Kumaraswamy stated that he was the only chief minister to have shed tears publicly. "I was in such a difficult situation. The Congress leaders have been alleging that I have a soft corner for the BJP candidate here. I do not want to speak about people who have plundered public money. BJP candidate distributed food kits out of money earned by the wrong means," he alleged.

Sampath Raj wooing BJP leaders?

Former city mayor Sampath Raj who is facing problems because of DJ Halli riots and reported evidence collected about his participation in it, reportedly is trying to warm up to the BJP. It is said that he has been bringing pressure on the BJP through a highly placed leader to wriggle out of the situation he is in now. Sampath Raj was an aspirant for Pulikeshi Nagar constituency ticket but the Congress had issued a ticket to Akhanda Srinivas Murthy, who migrated from the JD(S). Sampath Raj was angry at not being fielded by the Congress in the previous assembly election.