The Hindu : `Janata Party, a serious contender'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 03, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

`Janata Party, a serious contender'

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, APRIL 2. The State unit of the Janata Party, which is going it alone in the coming elections to the Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha, is confident of playing a role in the formation of the next State Government.

The Working President of the party, Vijay Mallya, who released the party manifesto here today, told presspersons that independent surveys conducted by the party had indicated that it had a fairly good chance of not just opening its account but also playing a role in the formation of the next Government since there was every likelihood of a hung Assembly in the State. The Janata Party had so far fielded over 100 candidates for the Assembly elections and would field 60 more in the next two days.

"A large number of voters are undecided and it is here that the Janata Party hopes to capitalise," he said.

"We are a serious contender in the elections and will approach the voters assuring them of certain drastic changes in the political system, particularly accountability and implementation of commitments made. Like in business, there should be accountability in politics as well. Our candidates are neither party hoppers nor people hungry for power. The selected candidates will reflect my commitment to the people."

Mr. Mallya said the people had given an adequate chance to the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular), but all of them failed to deliver. "I undertook a yatra in all the districts much before the elections were declared and studied the people's problems from close quarters. The yatras being undertaken at present are aimed at only wooing the voters and not for the betterment of the people. The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, is a fine person but his Government failed because he is surrounded by incapable Ministers."

The BJP and the Congress were indulging in mud-slinging in the run-up to the elections. However, "there is also a tacit understanding between the Congress and the BJP. While the Congress will not refer to the role of the State BJP President, Ananth Kumar, in the HUDCO scam, the BJP will not make the stamp paper scam an election issue. The plea of the Congress seeking another five-year term is unsustainable," he said.

Manifesto

Against the backdrop of the continuing drought in the State, the Janata Party has, in its election manifesto, promised to initiate water resource planning and utilise the latest technology for irrigation.

It has assured farmers of not just waiver of loans and interest but also to help them to get out of the clutches of middlemen.

The Janata Party has said that it would make rainwater harvesting mandatory, devise a plan to harness the potential of the coastal areas, desilt all the tanks and lakes, encourage dry-land farming and constitute a Tungabhadra Neeravari Nigam. It has also promised several progressive measures for the welfare of women, labour, fishermen, and weavers and craftsmen.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka