Council polls victory helps strengthen secular forces: Dharam

Bangalore, Jun 1 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly N Dharam Singh today said the victory of the four Congress candidates in the Legislative Council elections has helped to strengthen secular forces in the State.

Reacting to the election results, Mr Singh, who had played a pivotal role in forging a key understanding with the All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) led by Siddaramaiah, told UNI that the party candidates had won the elections, despite attempts by the ruling JD(S)-BJP coalition to lure away the party Legislators.

He said the understanding with the AIPJD was likely to be extended to all coming elections to defeat ''communal'' forces.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council and senior Congress leader H K Patil described the party candidates' victory as the victory for Congress unity. ''The victory sent clear signals that secular forces have not shattered after communal parties came to power through the backdoor,'' he added.

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