The Hindu : Karnataka News : Jaithra Yathre has given the answer to our opponents, says Kumaraswamy

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Jaithra Yathre has given the answer to our opponents, says Kumaraswamy

Special Correspondent

Second phase of ‘Jaitra Yathre’
from April 2
Former Chief Minister targets Rahul Gandhi

DEVANAHALLI (BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT): The overwhelming success of “Jaitra Yathre” in the first phase has nullified the criticism of the BJP and the Congress against the Janata Dal (S) and the party was now back in the driver’s seat, the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said.

He was speaking at the concluding programme of the first phase of the Jaithra Yathre here.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said: “I am not willing to waste time at this stage to hit out at the rival parties. I would rather discuss the difficulties faced by poor farmers owing to unseasonable rain, which has caused a loss of Rs. 500 crore.”

But both the Congress and the BJP leaders have been taking potshots at the JD(S), questioning the very existence of the party in the State politics. “This leaves me with no option but to give them back in the same coin,” he said.

The former Chief Minister hit out at AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi saying the Congress leader had chosen to copy his programme (village stays).

About the “Discovery of India tour” of Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Kumaraswamy said: “it was sad that Mr. Gandhi had to discover India after his family had given three prime ministers and presided over the people’s mandate for over 50 years.” Instead, he could have read the book written by his grandfather before embarking on his tour, he said.

Picking on the BJP leader former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Mr. Kumaraswamy said: “It was the State BJP which was responsible for the halt of the Kalasa Banduri drinking water project. It was the NDA government that succumbed to the pressure from Goa.”

“Where was his (Mr. Yeddyurappa) concern for the State when the project was stopped,” the former Chief Minister sought to know.

Stating that the phase two of Jaithra Yathre would begin on April 2, Mr. Kumaraswamy pointed out that the first phase was a success, which had made him more confident of his party winning the elections. The Jaithra Yathre got a rousing reception in Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, where his party did not have a strong base. The former Minister M.C. Nanaiah and party leaders C. Chennigappa and D.T. Jayakumar were among those present.

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