Siddaramaiah seeks Kumaraswamy's resignation

Mysore, Dec 7 (UNI) Former Karnataka Deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah, who emerged victorious in the byelection to the Chamundeswari Assembly constituency here, today urged Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to own responsibility for the JD(S)' defeat and resign from the post immediately.

Speaking to newspersons after the poll result was declared, he said it was a victory of the Chamundeswari people, who elected him for the fifth time. ''The victory is against misuse of power, money, gifts and the casteist atmosphere created by the JD(S) in the constituency. Despite the efforts of the entire JD(S)-BJP Government to defeat me, it is a victory for justice and his party.'' Mr Siddaramaiah thanked the Election Commission for conducting the byelection in a systematic way. He had complained to the EC about gross violations of the model code of conduct by the JD(S), including Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Terming JD(S) nominee Shivabasappa as only a dummy candidate, he said the real candidates were the Chief Minister and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. Both of them had declared that it was a fight between Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr Gowda.

Mr Siddaramaiah said the victory would end the 'family politics' of Mr Gowda and lead to political polarisation in the State. He predicted that there would be a split in the JD(S) in the coming days and some disgruntled Ministers and MLAs were expected to come out of the party shortly. Some of them were in touch with him.

He thanked all the voters in the constituency and Congress leaders and workers who strove hard for his victory.

About his future plans, Mr Siddaramaiah said he would tour the entire state to ensure that the ''corrupt'' coalition Government was removed from power.

The election had evoked tremendous interest as it was expected to decide the political future of Mr Siddaramaiah, who quit the JD(S) to join the Congress, and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who was facing the first litmus test after assuming power.

Mr Siddaramaiah had made the constituency his stronghold by winning on four occasions out of six attempts. He emerged into the political scene from this seat for the first time in 1983 when he successfully contested as a candidate of the George Fernandes-led Lok Dal. Mr Siddaramaiah's political career took an unexpected turn an year ago when he fell out of grace with Mr Gowda over Ahinda conventions and joined the Congress.

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