JD(S) a factory that creates leaders, says Kumaraswamy as he predicts coming to power on his own in Karnataka

“In my opinion there will be a government with a clear majority this time. I have belief in it and I’m saying this as I’m able to gauge the pulse of the people. All these days it was being said that JD(S) was limited to certain constituencies of the old Mysuru region. Today, growing beyond those boundaries, I’m confident about reaching the targets we have set,” said Kumaraswamy.

Going forward

Interacting with the media at Bengaluru Press Club, he said that there is no question of a hung mandate and that he and his party are making all efforts to meet the 123-seat target and will achieve it.

“There is a feeling among people against national parties and they want to give a chance to a regional party. Even if Modi and Shah visit a hundred times, it is difficult for BJP in Karnataka as their government has performed that badly in the state,” he said.

He added that BJP seeks votes in the name of Modi, Congress cites Bharat Jodo Yatra, while JD(S) is the only party asking for a mandate for its programmes.

Ruling out an alliance with any party, as of now, Kumaraswamy said that in the days to come, if any like-minded smaller parties come forward, his party is open to considering a tie-up.

His own yatra

JD(S) is a team of 6.5 crore people of the state, Kumaraswamy said, as he hit out at the Congress and BJP for calling his party the “B team”.

“This time, despite all their (BJP and Congress) misinformation campaigns, people have decided and will not take them into account. There is an undercurrent in villages — this time it is Kumaranna,” he added.

Kumaraswamy also highlighted JD(S)’ “Pancharatna Ratha Yatre”, a statewide tour that he is undertaking ahead of the polls.

ಜಾತ್ಯತೀತ ಜನತಾದಳ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆಯ ಯೋಜನೆಯಾದ 'ಪಂಚರತ್ನ ರಥಯಾತ್ರೆ' ಇಂದು ಸೇಡಂ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಗುವ ಮಾರ್ಗ.. #ಪಂಚರತ್ನ_ರಥಯಾತ್ರೆ pic.twitter.com/l4WEiOJauN

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) January 11, 2023

This yatre is to inform people about a five-fold programme — Pancharatna — that the JD(S) plans to implement on coming to power, which includes quality education, health, housing, farmer welfare, and employment.

To meet JD(S)’ 123-seat target, Kumaraswamy stated that he was working 18 hours a day and sleeping just three hours. He added, “So far, I have covered 140 km a day in 45 constituencies and by March 20, it will be 116 constituencies.”

“Including North Karnataka, we have reached the people. I have no doubts. We are strong in Raichur, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi and Bidar districts,” he said.

He added that he was not going to district or taluk headquarters like other party leaders, but was instead going to villages.

‘JD(S) is a factory that creates leaders’

Claiming that he is not perturbed by the BJP’s focus on the old Mysuru region, Kumaraswamy asserted that JD(S) will win all seven seats in Mandya district.

Responding to a query, Kumaraswamy said that the BJP and Congress may try to poach his MLAs and leaders, but he added that his party is not worried about someone going out as JD(S) is a factory that creates leaders.

“Have not discussed with anyone to join our party. I want to give opportunities to fresh faces. I have already announced the first list of 93 and in 8-10 days, I will announce a second list of 50-60 candidates,” he said, as he also expressed confidence about winning 6-8 seats in Bengaluru city.

ಅಂತೂ ಇಂತೂ ಕುಂತಿ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ವನವಾಸ ತಪ್ಪಿದ್ದಲ್ಲ ಅನ್ನುವ ಹಾಗೆ, ಉತ್ತರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಜನರ ಬವಣೆಗೆ ಕೊನೆ ಇಲ್ಲದಂತಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಂತಹ ಹೀನ ರಾಜಕಾರಣದಿಂದಾಗಿ ಗೋವಾದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸುವ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೂ ಮಾನಸಿಕ ಹಿಂಸೆ ಅನುಭವಿಸುವ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಉಲ್ಬಣವಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಅನಗತ್ಯ ಕಿರುಕುಳಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳು ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ವರದಿ ಮಾಡಿವೆ. 4/5

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) January 12, 2023

Accusing certain political leaders of trying to “misuse” religious leaders and heads of maths on the reservation issue, Kumaraswamy said that the government should do it in accordance with the Constitution and law.

“The government should not take decisions for the sake of political gains, it should be done based on population and backwardness. Call everyone and make them understand what can be implemented within the ambit of the Constitution and law, and take a decision based on data and numbers,” he suggested.

Also Read: Strengthen JD(S) to safeguard Karnataka’s interests: Deve Gowda 

The curious case of Santro Ravi 

Targetting the BJP government with the “Santro Ravi” issue, alleging his close connection with those in the administration and the ruling party, Kumaraswamy said, “He was in Pune. Who made him to move to Gujarat? What was he promised? What happened there?”

He continued, “Why was the Home Minister (Araga Jnanendra) coincidentally in Gujarat at the same time? The Home Minister should be asked, the government should answer,” he said.

KS Manjunath alias Santro Ravi, who is accused of being the kingpin in a human trafficking ring and having links to politicians and meddling with police transfers, was arrested in Ahmedabad on Friday.

“This is such a bad government. There has been no such government in the past and it will not happen again in the future too,” Kumaraswamy added.

(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)