The Hindu : Karnataka News : Fear of defeat prompting Congress to defer polls: MP

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Fear of defeat prompting Congress to defer polls: MP

Staff Correspondent

Siddesh says elections should be held in February

BJP to move Supreme Court if polls are not held in February
Party hopeful of foothold in Chitradurga upon strengthening of cadres

Chitradurga: Vice-president of the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party and MP G.S. Siddesh has said that by urging the Election Commission to hold the Assembly elections in accordance with the new reservation rules set by the Delimitation Committee, the Congress has only been playing difficult. He, however, clarified that the BJP had no objections if the elections were held according to the rules set, provided they were conducted in February.

Speaking to presspersons after inducting Janata Dal (Secular) leader N.R. Lakshmikant into the party here on Sunday, he said the BJP would move the Supreme Court if the elections were not held in February.

On allegations by the Congress that over 40 lakh fake names were being added in the voters’ list in the State, Mr. Siddesh said they were just a ploy to postpone the polls, owing to its fear of defeat. He expressed confidence that the BJP would gain a majority in the State, particularly after the Janata Dal (S) had shown desperation for power. He said the people were aware of the “welfare-oriented” budget introduced by the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and that they would vote for the party.

Referring to the induction of Mr. Lakshmikant, he said many leaders of various parties, particularly of the Janata Dal (S) were joining the BJP. “In the coming days, more such leaders are expected to join the party, which will strengthen our base in the State,” he said.

Though the BJP had not gained much of a foothold in Chitradurga, he expressed confidence that it would soon materialise.

In his address, Mr. Lakshmikant said the people had lost faith in the Janata Dal (S) and were now looking at the BJP as an alternative. “Being a political leader, it is difficult to garner votes from the people by representing the Janata Dal (S),” he said.

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