Beware of JD(S), Kumaraswamy warns BJP
Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday warned the BJP to beware of JD(S), as he accused the ruling party of systematically spreading imaginary news about his party joining the NDA.
In a series of tweets, the JD(S) legislature party chief also accused the BJP of attempting to erode its party's base by planting such rumors, and said the party "does not need BJP's friendship."
"BJP has realized after the gram panchayat results that all its attempts to finish off the JD(S) have failed. This is the reason why BJP was trying to play the phony drama of alliance. This is the reason why it is systematically spreading imaginary news about JD(S) joining NDA. This is absolutely false," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
Claiming that he shares a better bonding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi than many state BJP leaders do and has respect for Chief Minister Yediyurappa's seniority, he said the intention of JD(S) was not to be an opposition party just for the sake of opposing.
"If BJP indulges in a misinformation campaign, that bonding, respect and intent will get hampered. The BJP should beware about JD(S)," he added.
Kumaraswamy's attack came after he recently spoke about JD(S) having an "issue based understanding" with BJP, while dismissing talk about his party's possible merger with the saffron party.
"Many have tried to divide JD(S) after enacting a drama of friendship and it is BJP's turn now," he said.
"Who from JD(S) had applied for an alliance with BJP? Who had proposed an alliance, for BJP national general secretary Arun Singh to reject it?
He termed as a bundle of lies reports that JD(S) would join NDA and he would be made a union minister.
By spreading such news, BJP was trying to poison the minds of JD(S) workers and supporters, he said.
"BJP should understand that this is immoral politics," he added.
Recalling that his father H D Deve Gowda, while stepping down as Prime Minister in 1997, had rejected support from BJP's tallest leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kumaraswamy said he was not someone who desired a Ministerial post.
The Deve Gowda led 13 party United Front coalition government tumbled after the Sitaram Kesri-led Congress withdrew support in 1997.
"For now, no party needs anyone. We don't need BJP's friendship. We want the development of the state and our workers," he said, adding that the results of gram panchayat elections have buoyed the prospects of JD(S), and organizing the party was his only goal.
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Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
