Janata Dal (Secular) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy strongly believes that the time has come for regional parties to make a mark. On Thursday, he asserted that only a regional party at the helm of affairs in Karnataka could do justice to the people of the State.
Participating in a meet-the-press programme, jointly organised by the Press Club of Bangalore and the Bangalore Reporters’ Guild, Mr. Kumaraswamy accused both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to protect land, language and culture of the State.
Pointing out the “bargaining power” of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, and the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, he extolled the people to reject national parties in the State and support regional party JD(S), which, according to him, consistently strives for the development of Karnataka.
“The Congress, which has been in power for long failed to do justice to the State by finding a solution to the Cauvery and Krishna water disputes,” he said.
Expressing his confidence that the people would vote for the JD(S) in the coming Assembly elections, he said his priority was to reduce the value added tax from the existing 14.5 per cent to 12.5 per cent and address the problems being faced by the physically challenged, aged and widows by hiking their pensions.
Noting that money and muscle power, and caste played a major role in byelections in the State, he said it would not happen this time around.
Discounting the possibility of a hung Assembly, he said there was no question of the JD(S) playing the role of king-maker, “as our party will emerge as the single-largest party”, he said.
Any threat?
When asked if BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa floating a regional party would affect the JD(S)’ prospects, Mr. Kumaraswamy said neither Mr. Yeddyurappa’s party nor the newly formed BSR party would make an impact on his party.
