JDS chief Deve Gowda slams graft allegations against HD Kumaraswamy, backs PM Modi
Bengaluru, Jun 15 (PTI): JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Sunday strongly defended his son and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy against corruption allegations, calling them "baseless" and part of a deliberate smear campaign.
Speaking at the launch of the statewide JDS tour and ‘missed call’ membership campaign here, the former Prime Ministe said, "Some individuals are systematically spreading false narratives against Kumaraswamy. No one has ever succeeded in these smear campaigns, and no one will."
“Some people simply cannot tolerate Kumaraswamy. They cannot digest his personality and the love he commands from people. No one else in the country has waived farmers’ loans like he did.”
Responding to the remarks that the JD(S) will collapse after him, the veteran leader said, “Never forget, failure lays the foundation for success. Just because we lost (the election), it doesn’t mean we’ll lose heart. The only trouble I have at this age is with my legs, not with my mind. I haven’t lost my memory, and I won’t. Let those who think otherwise hear it clearly.”
Asserting that defeat cannot deter him and there was no question of despair, he exuded confidence that the JD(S) will rise again.
“Morarji Desai handed over this party to me . No matter how much Janata Dal splits, this party has survived and will survive even after I am gone...”
Rejecting accusations that JD(S) is a family-run party, he said, “This is not a family party. It is a party of its workers. Many great leaders have held office through this party, and many are still serving. Some have held positions and left, but the party has endured. Between two national parties, JDS has remained a strong regional force.”
Gowda also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "towering leader" and a "global figure".
“We aligned with BJP because of him (Modi). We joined hands with the Prime Minister. We earned his trust. I did not request him to make Kumaraswamy a minister. It was Modi himself who included him in the Cabinet and gave him key portfolios,” the former Prime Minister said.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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