'Chamundeswari defeat not to affect JD(S)-BJP Govt'

Bangalore, Dec 7 (UNI) Karnataka Home Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) State President M P Prakash today said there was no threat to the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government in the state following the party's defeat in the Chamundeswari Assembly bypoll.

Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of the Armed Forces Flag Day at Raj Bhavan here, he said the narrow margin win by former Deputy Chief Minister and Congress candidate Siddaramaiah showed that Chamundeswari was still a stronghold of the JD(S). JD(S) nominee Shivabasappa, contesting for the first time and garnering so many votes, was another strong indication that Chamundeswari still belonged to the JD(S), he claimed.

''It is time for us to examine the performance of the party and the Government,'' Mr Prakash said, adding that it would continue to work for the people and the state.

Asking the Congress not to unnecessarily boast because of the win, he thanked the voters for maintaining law and order during the campaigning and the polling, despite ''confusion created by the Congress''.

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