JDS not contesting bypolls as it wants its ‘marginal’ votes to go to BJP: Siddaramaiah


PTI, Feb 11, 2021, 3:06 PM IST

 

Hubballi: Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged on Thursday JDS was not contesting the coming Assembly and Lok Sabha by-elections in north Karnataka as the party wants its ‘marginal votes’ to go to the ruling BJP in the State.

His comments a day after JDS patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said his party would not field candidates as it did not have the funds to fight the bypolls.

Bypolls for Belgaum (Belagavi) Lok Sabha, and Basavakalyan, Sindgi and Maski Assembly seats are due and the schedule is expected to be announced by the Election Commission soon.

Siddaramaiah, also Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, told reporters here that the JDS was not strong in these constituencies.

‘They want their marginal votes also to go to BJP.

Hence, JDS is not contesting,’ he claimed.

Senior JDS MLC, Basavaraj Horatti was elected Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council on Tuesday with the support of the BJP amid indications that the two parties are warming up to each other.

To a question on the ongoing agitation demanding ST (Scheduled Tribe) status to the Kuruba (shepherd) community, to which he also belongs, Siddaramaiah said when he was Chief Minister he had ordered a ‘Kulashastra Adhyayana’ (ethnographic study) about categorising Kurubas into ST category.

‘The study is still ongoing.The demands should be made after the study is over.In my opinion, rallies are not needed at this point,’ he said.

In a show of strength, Kurubas, categorised as Other Backward Castes (OBCs), staged a mammoth rally last Sunday demanding ST tag for the community.

Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP and RSS were playing politics in the issue to provide reservation to Kurubas, and ‘their main motive is to divide Kuruba community’.

‘Why is K S Eshwarappa (a Kuruba and senior minister in the B S Yediyurappa Cabinet) is protesting against his own party? This clearly exposes their motive,’ Siddaramaiah said.

Reacting to Siddaramaiah’s statement, Eshwarappa, the Rural Development and Panchayatraj Minister, sought to know why Siddaramaiah was ‘opposed to the campaign’ by the community.

‘We have no objection to the Kulashastra Adhyayana but Siddaramaiah should make it clear why this agitation is not required,’ Eshwarappa told reporters in the district headquarters town of Shivamogga.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make gravity-defying theatre debuts

BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of ‘illegal’ arrest

Perth Test, Day 4: Siraj removes Smith as Australia go into lunch at 104 for five

Skipper Rohit Sharma hit nets following arrival in Perth, will play two-day game in Canberra

UP: Misled by ‘Google Maps’, car falls into river from incomplete bridge, 3 dead

Related Articles More

Bantwal: Three arrested in Thumbe temple theft case

Bengaluru: BBMP garbage truck driver dies after tree branch falls on him

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

Karnataka HC rejects plea to quash FIR in Rs 69 lakh Amazon scam case

Bengaluru: Man sustains severe leg injuries after being hit by car while sitting outside his house

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

Bantwal: Three arrested in Thumbe temple theft case

Bengaluru: BBMP garbage truck driver dies after tree branch falls on him

Organised crime module busted with arrest of three: Punjab Police

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.