JD(S) releases party manifesto for local body polls

Bangalore, Sep 21 (UNI) Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal(Secular) President H D Deve Gowda today exuded confidence that his party would fare well in the September 28 elections to 209 urban local bodies in the State.

Speaking to newspersons after releasing the party's manifesto, he said, ''the commitment of the party towards the welfare of the poor and downtrodden and secularism has helped it take strong roots in the State''.

Mr Gowda said the party, whether in power or not, had always fought for the cause of the poor. While in power, it had implemented many innovative schemes, including regularisation of illegal construction of houses, distribution of rice at the lowest price and release of more funds to urban local bodies.

Stating that the JD(S) was not a party of the rich, he said it had always fought to safeguard the interests of the poor, middle class and the working class. ''I expect the party to win a majority of the local bodies, higher than the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress''.

UNI