The Hindu : Karnataka News : `I like to take on stronger rivals'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

`I like to take on stronger rivals'

By Our Staff Correspondent

S. Bangarappa

MANGALORE, APRIL 11. The Samajwadi Party is totally integrated and the future elections will amply illustrate this, said the President of the State unit of the Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa, here today.

Addressing presspersons, Mr. Bangarappa, who was irked by a question on his changing political loyalties, said he had to change parties in the past only when they did not live up to the expectations of the poor, the downtrodden and the minorities, and failed in delivering social justice. But the Samajwadi Party is one that lays great stress on social justice and equality.

Reposing full faith in the leadership of the Samajwadi Party President and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr. Bangarappa said the leadership is strong at the national level and in Karnataka he will work to ensure that the party's goals are realised.

Reserving his comments on the parties at the State level, Mr. Bangarappa said the Samajwadi Party looks forward to taking on parties such as the Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular), and the BJP and that he takes pleasure in fighting parties that are stronger than the Samajwadi Party.

Bypolls

He said that with the byelections for the Shimoga Lok Sabha seat scheduled next month and the zilla panchayat elections around the corner he will be touring the State to strengthen the party. The President of the KPCC, B. Janardhana Poojary, the Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, and the Janata Dal (S) President, H.D. Deve Gowda, are already talking about mid-term elections in the State and the Samajwadi Party is getting ready for it, he said .

`Bad' governance

Our Udupi Staff Correspondent reports:

Mr. Bangarappa said the people in the State have become tired of the "bad" governance of the coalition Government.

Addressing a party workers' convention at Karkala in Udupi district, Mr. Bangarappa accused the Government as being an unprincipled one. Mr. Deve Gowda had said that he would not join hands with any party (to form the Government), but later entered into a tie-up with the Congress, he said.

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