MYSURU: Sniping between Congress and JD(S) workers — traditional rivals who have now been forced to work together after leaders of the two parties stitched an alliance for the
Lok Sabha
polls — in the Cauvery heartland of Mandya and Mysuru turned into a fullblown issue at a JD(S) meeting on Friday, where some workers even shouted pro-Modi slogans when told to work for the Congress candidate.
The meeting was convened by JD(S) minister GT Devegowda, who wanted party workers to campaign for Congress candidate CH Vijayshankar in Mysuru. In return, the JD(S) wanted a commitment from the Congress that it would support Nikhil Kumaraswamy, their candidate, in Mandya.
Complete coverage: Lok Sabha electionsHowever, angry JD(S) workers accused the Congress of refusing to follow the coalition dharma in Mandya and Hassan and questioned party leaders for directing them to work for the Congress in Mysuru. At the meeting — minister SR Mahesh was also present — some the JD(S) workers from Chamundeshwari pointed out that they had worked hard to defeat former CM and Congress leader
Siddaramaiah in the 2018 assembly polls.
“The Congress, which was ruling the state then, had filed complaints against us and we are facing legal action. How can we work for Congress now?” they asked.
Although Devegowda tried to pacify the workers, they walked out of the meeting. The open demonstration of defiance and anger comes a day after JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda claimed Congress leaders in Mandya were working to defeat his grandson Nikhil and even Siddaramaiah cannot salvage the situation. Gowda’s sentiments were echoed by Kumaraswamy in Koppa,
Chikkamagaluru district
on Friday. He told reporters that three parties — the BJP, Congress and the
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha
— had thrown their weight behind independent
Sumalatha Ambareesh.
“She is an independent candidate only in name,” Kumaraswamy said. “The BJP, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Congress are rallying behind her. Their aim is to defeat JD(S).”
It’s not just the rank and file of both parties, but leaders too who are refusing to see eye to eye. A joint press conference in Mysuru last week had to be cancelled as JD(S) leaders did not turn up. The issue has been sorted out to some extent with Gowda and Siddaramaiah scheduled hold joint rallies early next week.
BJP responsible for sloganeering: CMChief minister HD Kumaraswamy and former Congress minister Tanveer Sait accused BJP workers of fomenting trouble at JD(S) and Congress workers’ rallies.
Kumaraswamy, referring to pro-Modi slogans being shouted at the JD(S) meeting chaired by GT Devegowda, told reporters in Koppa, Chikkamagaluru: “It is possible that BJP activists sneaked into the JD(S) meeting and hailed the Prime Minister. There is no reason to highlight it.”
In Mysuru, Sait said BJP workers are trying to mislead the public by attempting to create a rift between JD(S) and Congress supporters in Mysuru Lok Sabha constituency. He said BJP workers disguised as Congress supporters are trying to disrupt meetings. “BJP workers are conspiring against us,” he claimed. TNN
I will be strong as long as people show confidence in me. When I was in Israel, my health had deteriorated. Doctors advised me to get admitted to a hospital. But I didn’t. I will not die as per the wish of the BJP.