Karnataka - Belgaum   

It is a coalition of contradictions, says Congress

Staff Correspondent

Government accused of blackmailing officials

Belgaum: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge and other speakers at the Congress workers' meeting organised here, described the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party Government as a "coalition of contradictions and compromises."

Mr. Kharge, who presided over the meeting organised to mobilise workers to the party's conference slated to be held in Bangalore on September 3, said the Janata Dal (Secular) and the BJP were fundamentally opposed to each other.

While the Janata Dal (Secular) president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda portrayed his and his party's commitment to secularism and that he or his party would never join hands with the "communal" Bharatiya Janata Party, the BJP was levelling charges Mr. Gowda and his family members. But, both compromised with the common objective of grabbing power, he alleged.

Mr. Kharge said former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah quit the Janata Dal (Secular) as he was frustrated and disillusioned, particularly with the present leadership in the hands of "Gowda family."

He said that several Janata Dal (Secular) leaders had joined the Congress in the last three years.

He alleged that Janata Dal (Secular)-led coalition Government was governing the State through blackmail, creating differences and dividing people and harassing honest and hardworking officials.

Criticised

Listing out major achievements such as Almatti Dam and other irrigation projects, including Harangi, Hemavati, Hidkal, Narayanpur, as implemented during Congress rule, Mr. Kharge criticised the Government for inviting a former Prime Minister belonging to BJP and not the Prime Minister for the inauguration of the Alamatti dam.

Floods

Mr. Kharge denied that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre was discriminating against States on political grounds while releasing funds to tackle floods in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Government should take a lead by involving Opposition parties to bring pressure on Centre for early release of funds, he said.

Former Minister Kagodu Thimmappa said the coalition Government was "sinking" and the September 3 meeting of Congress would signal the fall of the Government.

He alleged that the only achievement of the Janata Dal (Secualr), particularly of Mr.Gowda, was to make his son Chief Minister.

Former Ministers V.S. Koujalgi, Prakash B. Hukkeri, Basavaraj Patil Anwari, A.B. Patil and party leaders Prabhakar B. Kore, Ramesh Kudachi, MLA, and District Congress Committee president S.S. Bheemannavar spoke.

Later, Mr. Kharge told The Hindu that except former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim, all other leaders, including former Minister Vaijinath Patil and Kodandaramaiah will be joining the Congress.

Mr. Ibrahim may not join the Congress immediately due to his association with an Islamic organisation.

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