The Hindu : Congress, BJP moves unethical: JD(S)

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Congress, BJP moves unethical: JD(S)

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JAN. 17. Senior leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular) today condemned the efforts being made by the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to woo the leaders and workers of the All-India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD).

They said such attempts were unethical and against democracy. "It is improper to poach in our territory. Such efforts may yield dividends in the short run but will definitely hit back in the long run."

Incidentally, some senior leaders of the AIPJD, particularly from Belgaum, Raichur, and Koppal districts, were reported to be about to cross over to the Congress and the BJP following the demise of the former Chief Minister, Ramakrishna Hegde, earlier this week.

In view of this, the leaders of the JD(S), at a press conference here, appealed to the leaders and workers of the AIPJD not to be carried away by the assurances held out to them by other parties. They should, instead, join the JD(S) to help forge a strong secular alternative that could emerge victorious in the coming elections. The leaders who addressed the press conference were the State President, Siddaramaiah, P.G.R. Sindhia, and M.P. Prakash. The Secretary-General of the party, C. Narayanaswamy, and the former Ministers, H. Ekantaiah, H.C. Mahadevappa, and B.N. Bachche Gowda, were present.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said: "We did our best to bring about a merger of all factions of the Janata Dal over the past four years and, despite the workers seeking a merger, certain forces acted against such steps. The (merger) efforts did pay dividends to a certain extent although the merger is not complete. I appeal to all the Janata Dal leaders and their followers to sink their differences and strengthen the Janata Parivar. They need not have any suspicion, and the JD(S) will do its best to protect their interests, including their position and leadership in their respective regions."

He added: "The JD(S) does not want the workers to remain confused. Even if some of the leaders desert the Janata Parivar, we want the grassroots-level workers to remain with us. Meanwhile, while the party has already entered into an alliance with the Left parties, it will also look out for electoral alliances and seat adjustments with like-minded parties."

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the JD(S) was gearing up for the elections and was ready to face both the Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections if they were held simultaneously or separately. The party organisation was being restructured and the new office-bearers would be announced next week. After that, several teams of party leaders would tour the State to identify candidates for the elections.

Asked whether the JD(S) was holding talks with the AIPJD leaders, he said, "We are in touch with the Floor Leader of the AIPJD in the Legislative Council, Basavaraj Horatti, and with the AIPJD legislators in Kolar district led by Srinivas Gowda. We are confident that they will all join the JD(S)."

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