In message to Congress, Kumaraswamy gets all JD(S) MLAs together, rubbishes talk of defection
Hassan (K'taka) (PTI): JD(S) Karnataka President H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday expressed faith in the party's legislators and said none of them would jump ship to the Congress as claimed by the ruling party.
The former chief minister questioned the ruling party's "duplicity" in accusing the BJP of 'Operation Lotus' while its own leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, are making open claims about MLAs and leaders from the BJP and JD(S) joining the Congress.
The JD(S) leadership convened a meeting of its legislators and party leaders in this district headquarters town yesterday to convey a message of unity, amid reports that many of its legislators would defect to the Congress.
All the legislators also visited the famous Hasanamba temple here and offered prayers.
"Out of 19 MLAs in yesterday's meeting, 18 MLAs have attended. The 19th MLA -- who has not come -- Sharanagouda Kandakur (Gurmitkal MLA) is like a son of our house. He is in a bit of confusion. Will set things right; it is not a big issue," Kumaraswamy said.
There is none in the party who is disgruntled and wants to quit "falling prey to the allurements of the Congress government", he said. "Despite the hate politics of this government, by not supporting development in their constituencies (of JDS MLAs), none of our MLAs will quit the party under pressure from the Congress."
However, Kandakur, who is unhappy over JD(S)'s alliance with BJP, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, said he did not attend the party meeting as he had to attend a "committee meeting" in Bengaluru. He said he had "not informed" the party about his inability to attend.
Asked whether he was disgruntled with the party, the MLA said, "There is no such thing. Even if it is there, such a thing cannot be shared before the media... I have already shared my unhappiness over the alliance with BJP with the leadership."
He said he met the chief minister and other ministers but it was only to talk about development works, and that no one from the Congress has contacted him. "According to me, Congress has no such need as they have 136 MLAs."
Party president Kumaraswamy asserted that all JD(S) workers are united like a family and said the meeting was called to give clarity and to send a message of unity, amid a misinformation campaign that five to eight legislators might quit the party.
"Today also I saw media reports about this government's intelligence department giving them (Cong govt) information about 35-40 MLAs becoming victims to 'Operation Kamala' in the garb of a trip to Mumbai," he said. "To stop it, Congress high command including CM and DCM are making efforts," he added, noting that the same Congress leaders on the other hand are claiming that a number of BJP and JD(S) leaders were ready to join the ruling party.
Asking why the 136-MLA-strong Congress government has come to a situation where they are calling breakfast and dinner meetings and warnings are being given to leaders and legislators, Kumaraswamy advised the ruling party to set its affairs in order, instead of making claims about other parties' legislators quitting.
"By making such false claims, Congress is indulging in low grade politics. They are creating a situation where other party workers lose confidence in their own legislators and start doubting them," he said.
Claiming that the Congress fears JD(S), despite the regional party having very few legislators, Kumaraswamy said the ruling party is "petrified" hearing about the BJP-JD(S) alliance.
There is a preliminary agreement for alliance after discussions with the Delhi leadership of the BJP, he said in response to a question. The further process of alliance will begin once the five state elections are over, and that process will include state BJP leaders being taken into confidence, he added.
He also indicated that the BJP is likely to focus on its state unit, including appointing a leader of opposition in the state, after the elections in five states.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
