Kumaraswamy again rubbishes JDS merger rumours, vows to bring party to power on its own
Bengaluru: Rubbishing speculations about the possible merger of his party JDS with the ruling BJP, former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday vowed to bring it back to power on its own in the 2023 assembly polls.
The JD(S) legislature party leader also shared his plans for revamping the party organization and having in place an 8-10 member core-committee in place to make decisions.
"...our youth should understand the path covered by this party...making this party a slave of some other party or merging it with any other party will be an insult to Deve Gowda's (JDS patriarch and former prime minister) long struggle," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking at a party meeting here, he said, JD(S) has its own history and the party has no understanding or adjustment with BJP or any other party as was being projected by some.
"We have no adjustment with them (BJP)...there is no understanding with anyone. There are talks that I'm soft on BJP and (Chief Minister B S) Yediyurappa and propaganda about the merger is being spread, also there is another party (Congress) calling us BJP's B-team, nothing is true," he added.
Both the BJP and JDS have repeatedly rejected rumors and reports in a section of media of late about the merger after Kumaraswamy twice met Yediyurappa and JD(S) extending its support for passage of key bills and to the no-confidence motion against Legislative Council Chairman.
The work towards strengthening the party will begin from Sankranti (Jan 14), Kumaraswamy said adding "it will be towards bringing JD(S) government, Kannadiga's government to power in 2023."
Noting that the party organization work has taken a beating because of coronavirus, Kumaraswamy said all its wings would be dissolved and reconstituted through the respective chiefs would be retained.
After discussing with Deve Gowda and other senior leaders, a core committee consisting of 8-10 leaders will be constituted before January 14 to take decisions on the party affairs, he said.
A "War Room" will be set up at headquarters. "I'm ready to work with you under a new system for 20 hours a day. it's not difficult to win 30-35 or 40 seats....let's not depend on anyone to be in power. Let's form the government independently on our own strength," he added.
Stressing the need to take up membership drive in a big way, Kumaraswamy also asked leaders not to speak against the party and its affairs on the streets.
"Speak at party forums, the doors are open," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Araijeet's four goals hand India 5th title in men's junior Asia Cup
Muscat, Dec 4: Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the summit clash to win a hat-trick of titles in the men's junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.
This was India's fifth title in the continental tournament, having previously won the crown in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023.
The tournament was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal getter for India.
For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.
Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.
There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter.
The highlight of the first quarter was ariel passes employed by both the teams.
But Pakistan had the first laugh, striking as early as the third minute through a field goal from Shahid.
India didn't sit back and secured their first penalty corner seconds later, and Araijeet stepped up to draw level with a powerful drag-flick to the right of Pakistan goalkeeper.
India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick.
A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India's lead to 3-1.
Pakistan, however, reduced the margin in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
Pakistan were the better side on display after the change of ends and they drew level in the 39th minute through another penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet's effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.
India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.
