The Hindu : Karnataka News : Govt. will last, asserts Dharam Singh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Govt. will last, asserts Dharam Singh

By Our Staff Correspondent

BASAVAKALYAN, OCT. 5. The BJP has no right to speak about whether the coalition Government in the State will survive or not, as it is in no way connected to the process of forming the Government, the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, has said.

`Propaganda'

Addressing an election rally here, Mr. Singh criticised the BJP State unit president, H.N. Ananth Kumar, for "indulging in systematic propaganda against the Government, for silly and baseless reasons."

"After all, who is Mr. Kumar to speak about the possible fall of my Government? Is he planning to join my Cabinet, and is therefore worried if it is going to be short-lived," he asked.

He called upon the people not to be taken in by such propaganda, as the coalition Government was "very stable and will last its full term of five years."

"I dream of ushering in a new era of comprehensive development of the Hyderabad Karnataka region. Please help me make my dream come true by strengthening my party," Mr. Singh said.

`Support secularism'

The former Minister H. Vishwanath asked the people to vote for the Congress in order to send a message across the nation that secular values were still alive. "By pressing the button (on the electronic voting machine) on October 13 in favour of the Congress, you will tell the BJP that you cannot be taken for a ride based on emotional issues," Mr. Vishwanath told the people.

R.L. Jalappa, MP, said a vote for the Congress was a vote for development. "If you vote for the BJP, you will help increase needless fighting in Parliament. If you vote for the JD(S), it won't make any difference as their strength in Parliament will go up from three to four. The only way to make the best use of your vote is to give it to us," Mr. Jalappa said.

The former Minister Roshan Baig said the minorities had been supporting the Congress not because of the fear of persecution by the BJP, but because of their strong belief that the former was committed to the development of the community.

Syed Zulfikar Hashmi, former MLA, called upon the minorities to vote for the Congress and put their faith in the "vision and abilities" of leaders such as Mr. Singh and the Minister, M. Mallikarjun Kharge.

Joins Congress

Nisar Ahmed, who contested as a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate from Basavakalyan in the last Assembly elections, joined the Congress at the rally.

Mr Singh called on the Channaveereshwar Swamiji of Harkud Math before arriving in Basavakalyan. He later addressed rallies in Hulsoor and Humnabad.

State to seek more funds

for railway projects: Page 5

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