The JD(S) leadership was apparently pleased at the turnout for the rally organised by the party at Lingadevarukoppal in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency on the outskirts of Mysuru on Tuesday to launch the party’s campaign for the coming assembly elections.
The JD(S) leaders, who were received by a large number of supporters at several junctions enroute the venue of the rally, did not hide their elation.
The party had chosen to launch their election campaign from Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency from where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is planning to seek a re-election.
Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who addressed the gathering, said he would not be surprised if Mr. Siddaramaiah resorts to misuse of government machinery to target the JD(S) MLA representing Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency G.T. Deve Gowda after seeing the huge turnout. “But, I am sure G.T. Deve Gowda will not be intimated. He knows how to tackle it and we are all with him,” he said.
Mr G.T. Deve Gowda, who addressed the rally, criticised the Congress rally held at Hootagalli a few days ago. “How many people had you organised at Hootagalli by paying them money, Mr. Siddaramaiah? There may have been no more than 3,000 or 4,000 people. But, the thousands of people, who had gathered here today have come on their own out of love for the party and our leader Kumaranna (H.D. Kumaraswamy),” he said.
He said the people of the constituency are determined to vote for the JD(S) and “make Mr. Siddaramaiah lose his deposit.”
He added that the CM chose to return to Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency for the sole reason that he (Mr. Gowda) should not represent it. “He wants to contest from Chamundeshwari because he does not want me to represent the constituency,” Mr Gowda said. Even though his son Mr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah has no locus standi in the constituency, he sends him to participate in functions organised to launch various developmental activities, he alleged.
Mr. Gowda recalled his contribution to the constituency even when Mr. Siddaramaiah was contesting from the constituency and making it to the Assembly. “I want to remind him of my contribution to the people of this constituency,” he said.
Earlier, the gathering observed a minute’s silence in memory of H.D. Kote MLA Chikkamadu, who passed away recently. Mr. Gowda said the launch of the party’s election campaign was originally scheduled for November 3, but had to be put off on account of the sudden demise of Mr. Chikkamadu.
