Minister Darshanapur accuses Kumaraswamy of blackmailing voters over irrigation promise
Yadgir: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s statement linking irrigation discussions to Nikhil Kumaraswamy's election win has drawn criticism from Yadgir district in-charge Minister Sharanabasappa Gouda Darshanapur, who accused him of "blackmailing voters."
Speaking to media in Shahapur on Wednesday, Darshanapur remarked, "Whether they vote for us or not, we have always worked for the people. The Congress has never resorted to blackmailing tactics on people."
He criticised the BJP’s focus on minor issues rather than development, stating, "People from the BJP question what the Congress has done. It was the Congress government that implemented major irrigation projects for farmers. BJP does not discuss development; instead, they highlight minor issues and make them appear significant."
Darshanapur alleged that Kumaraswamy's actions and style of leadership lacked integrity, saying, "The Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy acts in a deceitful way, and people talk a lot about his people. Can Siddaramaiah even be compared to Kumaraswamy? When Kumaraswamy was Chief Minister for the second time, he was operating from the West End Hotel. He has no moral right to comment on our party and leaders."
Addressing JD(S)’s stance on secularism, Darshanapur pointed out, "JD(S) claims to be secular, yet now they declare otherwise. They should have clarified this from the beginning."
He questioned the political influence of Kumaraswamy’s family, stating, "With so many of his family members involved in politics, don’t they have room for others? About 20-25 of his family members are MLCs, MLAs, and Rajya Sabha members. What about opportunities for others? That is why the JD(S) is in its current state."
Referring to JD(S) campaign strategies in Channapatna, he continued, "When his family members were MLAs of Channapatna, what development did they bring? Now, they have brought Deve Gowda to campaign in Channapatna by blackmailing him. Why is it necessary to make Deve Gowda campaign at this age? If they have that much influence, let them win the elections without such campaigning," Darshanapur challenged.
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Rahul Gandhi joins Haryana Congress leader's 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram
Gurugram (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday joined the 'Sadbhav Yatra' of Haryana Congress leader Brijendra Singh here.
Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reached Gurugram in the evening and joined the yatra. He also walked some distance with Brijendra, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh and other leaders.
Huge crowds had turned up for the occasion.
Later, Gandhi proceeded to the venue where he addressed a public gathering.
Leader of Opposition in Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other Congress leaders, including Randeep Singh Surjewala, B K Hariprasad, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh, were also present.
Brijendra Singh had on Thursday said it is a matter of joy for them that Gandhi was joining the 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram-Badshahpur, "thereby strengthening the Indian National Congress' campaign for brotherhood and harmony".
The 'Sadbhav Yatra' began from Danoda village at Narwana in Jind on October 5, 2025, and has covered 85 of the 90 assembly segments in the state.
The foot march was started by Brijendra Singh, son of Congress veteran Birender Singh, to highlight several national and regional issues.
State Congress chief Rao Narender Singh had asked all party leaders to take part in Friday's event.
Days before his yatra began in October, Brijendra Singh, who narrowly lost the 2024 assembly polls from Jind's Uchana Kalan, accused the ruling BJP of playing "divisive politics" and said that "sadbhav" (harmony) has come under stress in the last decade.
Brijendra Singh was a sitting MP from Hisar for the BJP when he resigned ahead of the 2024 general election and switched over to the Congress. He also alleged that the saffron party creates a wedge in society to achieve its political purpose.
The 'padyatra' has so far covered 85 assembly constituencies in Haryana, traversing more than 2,700 kilometres.
Addressing the public gathering, Brijendra Singh said the yatra is inspired by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he took the party's vision and values directly to the people of the country.
Singh said the yatra has highlighted issues like "Vote Chori" (vote theft), unemployment, poor law and order situation, agrarian distress, and issues related to government employees, labourers and traders.
"Sadbhav (harmony) and bhaichara (brotherhood), which the BJP is attempting to weaken, are the messages of this yatra," he said, adding that its slogan is "Congress ka haath bhaichara ka saath".
"This yatra is a natural extension of the Bharat Jodo Yatra," Brijendra Singh said.
