Mangaluru: JDS National President and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Sunday held a press conference at the MLC office here during his visit to the city. He told reporters that the party has sought 12 out of 28 seats of the state from Congress but it is not the final demand and there can be room for relaxation.

“Leaders from both the parties will meet in Delhi and discuss the seat sharing. We have sought 12 seats but that doesn’t mean it is our final demand. There will be discussions and negotiations. There is no confusion in the coalition and seat sharing and we will not allow dissent as well” he said.

Speaking about Sumalatha Ambareesh contesting from Mandya, he added “Sumalatha demanding to contest from Mandya is natural. But JDS dominance has increased in Mandya and Hassan and I think Congress leaders understand this. From where I contest is not important I haven’t made a decision as yet”.

“Party workers and activists from Chikkaballapur are urging me to contest from their constituency, but not decision has been made yet. MP Veerappa Moily has indicated that they will give us 10 out of 28 seats, so we will see which seats they give us. Based on that decisions on candidates will be made” he added.

“People of Mandya and Hassan also want Nikhil and Prajwal to contest from their respective constituencies. We also need to understand the feelings of people while deciding the candidate” he further added.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’ (Congress free India) is meaningless and has no vision. We don’t need to learn about patriotism from Narendra Modi. People now understand what Modi has done for the country in last five years” Deve Gowda added while taking a dig at Modi.

After the press conference Deve Gowda handed over the salary of MLC BM Farooq to the poor families and also felicitated the newly appointed Grand Mufti AP Ustad.

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Mysuru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of "neglecting" the farmers in the state and being involved in corruption.

The JD(S) leader took part in an event where President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli in Mandya district, which comes under his Lok Sabha constituency.

"I saw a report that 2,800 farmers have died by suicide after this government came to power (in state). The government seems to be not concerned about the farmers. This government on coming to power said that it will give Rs 24,000 crore as loan to 32 lakh farmers for their farming activities, but till November, about Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to 24 lakh farmers, limiting to what was there earlier by managing the books of account," Kumaraswamy said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "These things show the failures of this government. Also, there is a corrupt system. I will not speak about it now. After December 20, I will speak to you in detail. There are a lot of issues to share with you."

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Responding to a question, the JD(S) leader, who turned 66 today, said there is no use of giving any documents. "I'm waiting for the right time."

Regarding the Congress government introducing a bill against "hate speech" in the Assembly, Kumaswamy said it is aimed at silencing the opposition in the state, but they won't be successful.

"What do Congress leaders have to say about their workers' comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi?. He cited slogans -- 'Modi teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi's grave will be dug.. if not today, then tomorrow) -- allegedly raised against Modi at a Congress rally in Delhi on Sunday.