The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : It has indeed ‘risen like a phoenix’

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Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

It has indeed ‘risen like a phoenix’

Special Correspondent

Woman of the moment: A file picture of Anita Kumaraswamy during her high-profile campaigning in Madhugiri constituency

BANGALORE: As soon as the results of the byelections to eight Assembly constituencies in Karnataka began trickling in, the Janata Dal (Secular) office on Race Course Road in Bangalore erupted with joy as party workers burst crackers and shouted slogans hailing former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

Even as party leaders remained glued to their television sets watching the counting process in various constituencies, more than a hundred party workers gathered at the party office soon after it became clear that the Janata Dal (S) had bagged three of the eight Assembly constituencies where bypolls were held on December 27.

“Even though our party has won only three of the constituencies, it is as good as winning all the eight seats as the Janata Dal (S), which is a regional party, had been pitted against two national parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress,” said a party worker from Bangalore, D.M. Gowda. The party workers were looking forward to the arrival of Mr. Deve Gowda and Mr. Kumaraswamy at the party office to chart out the party’s future course of action.

Positive outcome

Working President of Janata Dal (S) State unit C. Narayanaswamy, who arrived at the party office after the results were declared, said the outcome of the polls had proved that the party, which had been dismissed by its political adversaries, was “very much alive”.

Recalling Mr. Gowda’s prophecy that the Janata Dal (S) would rise like a “phoenix”, Mr. Narayanaswamy said the turnout of the people at a recent rally held by the party in Bangalore, and the results of the recent byelections had given a befitting reply to its adversaries.

Mr. Narayanaswamy said the bypolls were the first challenge the party faced after the appointment of Mr. Kumaraswamy as the party’s State unit president. “It is an auspicious beginning for the party under Mr. Kumaraswamy’s stewardship,” he said.

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