The Hindu : Karnataka News : My political credibility is intact: Bangarappa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

My political credibility is intact: Bangarappa

By Our Staff Correspondent

HUBLI, MARCH 15. S. Bangarappa, newly appointed President of the State unit of the Samajwadi Party, claimed here today that his frequent changes of political loyalty have not affected his political credibility.

Replying to questions from presspersons here, Mr. Bangarappa said people have enough faith in him. On the question of political polarisation, he said that in the changed scenario it is the people who force polarisation rather than the political parties.

He predicted early elections being held to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assembly and said the Samajwadi Party is gearing itself to meet the challenge.

He was of the view that the Left parties would pull out of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) soon because of the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal next year, where they have to take on the Congress.

In Karnataka, both the coalition partners are talking openly about early polls.

On the emergence of a third front, Mr. Bangarappa appeared unsure.

He said he is confident that his party will make a dent in the vote bank of the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) and dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the State as politically irrelevant. He claimed that several BJP MLAs have offered to resign from the Assembly to join the Samajwadi Party.

To contest bypoll

Our Shimoga Special Correspondent writes:

Mr. Bangarappa put an end to the speculation about his future plans by asserting that he will contest the coming Lok Sabha byelection from Shimoga constituency as the candidate of the Samajwadi Party.

At a hurriedly called press conference here on Monday, Mr. Bangarappa, however, said he will keep open the option of returning to State politics and take a decision at the appropriate time.

To go it alone

Our Chikmagalur Correspondent reports:

Mr. Bangarappa said on Monday that the Samajwadi Party will contest all elections in the State, including elections to the taluk and zilla panchayats, alone.

Speaking to presspersons after holding discussions with local leaders at Tarikere, he said his intention is to form an alternative government in the State as the coalition government has failed on all fronts.

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

Karnataka