BELGAUM: Working President of the State unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) H.D. Kumaraswamy has said that the party plans to adopt two villages in each taluk in the flood-affected districts of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot and Gulbarga.

Mr. Kumaraswamy, who was here on Wednesday to attend the district party workers' convention, said that this is in addition to the State Government's efforts to provide relief to those affected by the floods.

It is designed to provide the minimum infrastructure in these villages and plans for the programme will be finalised within a month, Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

He added that work in the villages is expected to be completed in four months.

On allegations that there has been a delay in reaching relief to the affected by government agencies, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that if necessary he will urge Ministers to camp in the district to attend to the problems of the people. Regarding reports of a slip up on the part of officials, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he will discuss the issue with Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash.

`Lack of credibility'

He welcomed the efforts made by the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others in trying to bring the various Janata Dal factions together, but said that Mr. Siddaramaiah's initiative suffered from a lack of credibility. However, he said that he will not allow the party to be split for the lure of power, as has happened in the past.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said that the Janata Dal (S) is confident of returning to power on its own in the next elections.

He said that the party wants the polls to the zilla and taluk panchayats to be held as early as possible.

Addressing party workers, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that the party will not tolerate the district administration ignoring party workers in the district at the behest of Congress leaders. If necessary he will tour the district and take up dharnas in this connection, Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

The convention was attended by former Chairman of the Legislative Council R.B. Potdar; Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Sachidanand Khot; Bhalachandra Jarakiholi, brother of Satish Jarakiholi, who is the State President of the Siddaramaiah faction of the Janata Dal (S); and former Ministers Leeladevi Prasad and Umesh Katti.

The convention was held to discuss measures to strengthen the party in the district.

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