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Bengaluru: In a dig at the JD(S) and BJP alliance, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda was in bad company as he was uttering curses that the Congress party will see its end in Karnataka.

Referring to Gowda's statement on Friday at a press conference, the Chief Minister said regardless of political differences, elders should always bless the younger ones and not curse them.

''Former Prime Minister Shri H D Deve Gowda has stated that Congress party will see its end under my and D K Shivakumar's leadership. Despite his curse, we wish him and his party long life and good health,'' Siddaramaiah said on micro-blogging site 'X'.

''I believe that Shri H D Deve Gowda, who had worn the crown of secularism for decades, is now forced to cast it aside and wear the crown of communalism. This is leading him to make such statements out of disappointment and despair,'' he further said.

''No political party should wish for the end of another political party. The BJP's loose talk of making 'Congress-mukt Bharat' seems to have influenced Deve Gowda too. This is the result of bad company,'' he added.

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The Congress stalwart said he 'sincerely'' wish that the Janata Dal (Secular) does not come to an end. However, blindly following BJP may result in otherwise.

''Likewise, I hope Deve Gowda remains active in politics for a longer time. However, I wish that both JD(S) and their new ally BJP remain in the opposition permanently. Our Congress party will continuously strive to fulfill this wish. I have always said that the Janata Dal (Secular) is the 'B team' of BJP. I commend JD(S) for clarifying their ideological stance and for agreeing with my statement,'' the Chief Minister said.

According to Siddaramaiah, this stance of JD(S) has prevented some secular voters from being misled by the secular facade of the party.

He opined that the JD(S)-BJP alliance has turned the upcoming election into a direct confrontation between secular and communal forces.

''I am confident that the voters of Karnataka, who have a tradition of secularism and harmony, will make the right choice in the next elections,'' the Chief Minister said.

The JD(S) joined the BJP-led NDA in September last year after a meeting Kumaraswamy, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda's son, had with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national President J P Nadda in New Delhi.

The two parties have said they would fight the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka together.

In the elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly in May last year, the JD(S) put up a poor show, winning only 19 seats. The Congress bagged 135 to wrest power in the state and the BJP won 66 seats.

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Kargil (PTI): Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday defended the agitation for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, and said he would not back out from joining talks with the government if the need for it arises.

Addressing a press conference, Wangchuk, who was released on March 14 after nearly six months of detention under the National Security Act, called for "open-minded and sincere" negotiations and striking a middle path.

He also expressed hope that the ongoing protests would lead to a positive and amicable solution.

"The demand for safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and statehood is based on democratic rights entailed in the Constitution and is completely legitimate. I have always maintained that for the last 5-6 years, we have been engaged in discussions with the government on these issues, yet no solution has emerged. This is because the other side seems to have adopted a rigid stance," Wangchuk told reporters here.

He stressed that the negotiations should be held with an open mind, in all sincerity.

"Neither side should insist 'we alone will win and you will lose'. What is needed is a middle path, a win-win approach. This is what I personally believe and have conveyed to many people, including the (agitating) leaders: the negotiations should move forward gradually," he said.

Wangchuk said they were ready to adopt such an approach, but it should not be one-sided.

He said the protesters have conveyed this thinking to fair-minded people across the country, and cautioned that if the upcoming talks once again result in their concerns being overlooked and only the other side's position prevails, it would prompt questions on why a more accommodative approach -- like that adopted by Ladakh's leaders -- is not being followed.

The government has not yet announced the date for the next round of talks.

The Ladakh-based activist expressed hope that the ongoing protests would lead to a positive and amicable resolution, enabling them to move forward and partake in the country's progress and nation-building.

Asked about charges under the National Security Act (NSA) that were levelled against him, he said, "If a person like me, who has always worked for the country -- whether in education, environment, or improving facilities for the armed forces -- can face such allegations, then what might not be said about others, not just in Ladakh but elsewhere as well?"

The activist said he was disturbed by a video related to his arrest that he came across recently, questioning how such claims could be made, especially as the contents "appeared" to be backed by evidence.

"If the allegations are true, I did not deserve to be free. But if they are false, they must be clearly refuted," Wangchuk said, cautioning against making sweeping accusations about Ladakh, which has been a pillar of India's defence, especially Kargil, whose people have supported the armed forces in every war and made significant sacrifices in the 1999 Kargil War.

Making such allegations will only create distance among people, he said, adding, "If mistakes are being made, they should be corrected."

Referring to the Centre's order revoking NSA charges against him, he said it is clearly stated that this step is being taken to create a conducive environment, to build trust, and to enable meaningful dialogue.

"So, we are waiting for things to move in that direction," he said.

On the protesters' next course of action, he said the leadership will look into the issue, but it is hoped that the time ahead will not be for anything else but celebration.

"If there is any absolute need, we will discuss and decide what steps should be taken," he said.

On the possibility of him joining the team holding dialogue with the home ministry, Wangchuk said, "Whatever I do, I do it out of necessity. Where I am not needed, and others could do it, I always prefer that they should take the lead. But if there is a need, I will not back down."

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