Karnataka - Bidar   

Siddaramaiah faction applies for recognition as `real JD(S)'

Staff Correspondent

Former Chief Minister says ZP, TP elections will be a test of the effectiveness of AHINDA movement Former Deputy Chief Minister says panchayat elections will be test of AHINDA's effectiveness

Bidar: The former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his party, which he refers to as the real Janata Dal (Secular), will field candidates in all seats in the zilla and taluk panchayat elections. "We have expelled (former Prime Minister) H.D. Deve Gowda and appointed C.M. Ibrahim as our National President. The former Minister Satish Jarkiholi as the State unit President. We have applied to the Central Election Commission State Election Commission for recognition as the real Janata Dal (S). We are expecting the decision soon," he said.

Mr. Siddaramaiah told presspersons that the party will take up a political agitation against the family politics of Mr. Deve Gowda. He said his party will take up issues of comprehensive development of the deprived classes. "We will try to form a Government based on self-respect. Political empowerment of the masses should not mean members of these communities seek benefits and get an equal share in power," he said. He also said that the zilla and taluk panchayat elections will act as test of effect of the AHINDA movement.

Criticised

Mr. Siddaramaiah criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party for accusing the State and the Union governments for not including the Hydarabad-Karnataka region in Article 371 of the Constitution.

"What did the National Democratic Alliance Government do about it? Including the Hyderabad-Karnataka region under Article 371 means the Union Government shares responsibility of the development of the region. Being a man from south Karnataka, I strongly believe that Article 371 should be implemented. I had approached the Prime Minister for sanctioning 50 per cent of the money needed to develop the region according to the Dr. Nanjundappa Committee Report, but he refused," Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

He added that he wanted to create awareness among the deprived classes when he was a Minister, but Mr. Deve Gowda did not allow him to continue.

"Mr. Deve Gowda looked at the huge turnout at the Hubli rally and feared that a parallel political power was emerging. He also realised that my budget was pro-poor and pro-rural people. He wanted me out of the Government as he did not want a similar budget from me. Mr. Deve Gowda did not like it that my I was a popular and successful Finance Minister," he said.

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