No one knows what developments will take place after 2023 poll results: HD Kumaraswamy
Chitradurga (K'taka), Aug 18: Recalling the turn of events which led to his party and Congress joining hands to form a coalition government in Karnataka after the 2018 assembly polls, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said no one knows what developments would take place post the 2023 election results.
The former Chief Minister said this after a Vokkaliga community event here, in which he shared the stage with State Congress president D K Shivakumar, who cryptically spoke about his Chief Ministerial aspirations and sought the community's support.
Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar are influential leaders from the Vokkaliga community, which has predominant presence in the old Mysuru or southern Karnataka region.
"I'm in my own struggle (political), we will put in our party's effort, you put in yours. Who knows God will give power to whom... No one knows what developments will take place after the poll results," Kumaraswamy said in response to a question on whether he would stand in support of Shivakumar if the situation arises.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the Congress leaders, in the 2018 poll campaign, had appealed to people to not vote for JD(S), alleging that it was BJP's 'B team', and thereby ensured the regional party doesn't get community (minority/Muslim) votes.
"...but, we (JDS) joined hands with the same Congress after the polls. Who knows what will happen in the next election. Let the election result come, we will discuss it after that," he added.
Responding to a question on Shivakumar's Chief Ministerial aspirations, Kumaraswamy said it is not in his hands, and noted that, for it to happen he has to "overtake" Siddaramaiah, who is another aspirant for the post, in case the Congress comes to power.
"Will he (Siddaramaiah) let him (Shivakumar) become the Chief Minister so easily?" he asked.
Siddaramaiah (Congress Legislature Party leader) and Shivakumar are nursing ambitions for the top post in the event of Congress coming to power, and are involved in a game of political oneupmanship.
Asked if would join hands with Shivakumar in case there is a possibility of him becoming the Chief Minister, he said, "They (Shivakumar and Congress) already feel that they have got a clear majority."
Earlier, speaking at the event that was attended by Voikkaliga community seers -- Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji of the Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math and Nanjavadutha Swamiji of Spatikapuri Mutt -- Shivakumar spoke about his aspirations and sought the community's support.
"Lots of opportunities will come in the days to come. I will leave it to your discretion. I have told seers with folded hands to welcome 'Lakshmi' (Goddess of wealth) who is about to come to your doorstep in the form of light, it is left to them to welcome or not," he said.
"I will talk about politics next time...there is an ambition to give strong leadership to the community and create an impressive mark, need your blessings...D K Shivakumar is your son, you have stood by me during my difficult times, I'm sure that you will stand by me in the future too," he added.
Shivakumar, too, had earlier sought the community's backing for him to become the Chief Minister.
Referring to him being the only Vokkaliga to be the KPCC president after S M Krishna (who later went on to become Chief Minister), Shivakumar, while citing the example of how Dalits would want one of their own to become the Chief Minister, had recently, said: "Every community has self-respect. Let our community come together."
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Karnataka Muslim Convention to be held in Bengaluru on May 16
Muslim organisations to release report on Congress govt’s three-year performance
Bengaluru: Major Muslim organisations and federations in Karnataka have decided to organise a large public convention titled ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ at Town Hall in Bengaluru on May 16. During the convention, a comprehensive report reviewing the three-year performance of the Congress government under the theme “What did the Congress government promise? What did it do? What next?” will be released.
According to a statement issued on Friday, no politicians will be invited to the convention. The report will be submitted to the government and all MLAs after the event.
The convention is being held at a time when the Congress government is nearing the completion of three years in office on May 20. Muslim organisations have expressed dissatisfaction, alleging that despite extending strong support to the Congress in bringing it to power, the community is being neglected.
The Convention is being organised at time when there are concerns over inadequate political representation for Muslims, alleged neglect of community demands, and the suspension of senior Muslim leaders who had worked for the party for decades.
The organisers said the convention aims to raise questions on what the Congress government has delivered so far and what further steps are expected from the government.
The decision to hold the convention was taken during a meeting held on May 6 at A J International Hotel in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru. Representatives of major Muslim organisations, associations, ulema bodies, federations, and members of the ad hoc committee of Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkoota attended the meeting.
More than 75 representatives and delegates, including senior ulemas, jamaat leaders, lawyers, retired officials, journalists and members of the KRMO ad hoc committee, participated in the discussions.
Members of the KRMO ad hoc committee’s report preparation team and experts from different sectors presented a detailed report on the Congress government’s three-year performance. The report examined promises made to Muslims on ten major issues, the extent to which they were fulfilled, pending promises, alleged discrimination in representation, and the demands now being placed before the government.
The report covered issues such as the hijab ban, reservation cancellation, hate speech and hate crimes, budget allocation, political representation, waqf matters, the anti-cow slaughter law, anti-conversion law, scholarships and educational grants.
Participants offered suggestions and recommendations on various points, and necessary corrections to the report were accepted after detailed discussions.
The meeting also reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the manner in which the Congress government has treated the Muslim community. Participants are said to have opined that if the government and the Congress party continue in the same manner, the community should keep its political options open.
It was later decided that the report would be officially released at the large public convention on May 16 under the title “Karnataka Muslim Convention – What did the Congress government promise? What did it do? What next?”
The organisers appealed to people from all districts of the state to participate in large numbers and send a strong message to the government and the Congress party through the convention.
They also decided that all organisations, jamaats and associations should work towards ensuring participation from every district in Karnataka.
The statement reiterated that no politicians would be invited to the May 16 convention and that the report on the Congress government’s three-year performance would be submitted to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, ministers and MLAs after the event.
