Cong did not do anything for rural population: Kumaraswamy

Mangalore, May 25 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who has been on a ''padyatra'' in Ullal assembly constituency, today criticised Congress ''for not doing anything for rural population''.

Talking to newspersons at Kollapu near here, he said the Congress did nothing for rural masses who suffered for 40 long years under its rule, and now its leaders are finding fault with me for my prompt actions to help the rural folk.

''Did Congress leaders like KPCC president Mallilkarjun Kharge ever try to feel the pulse of the rural populace by leaving their airconditioned rooms and staying in poor habitats. They (Congress leaders) did't dare to accept my invitation to stay in farmers' homes due to fear of wrath of distressed villagers as the Congress had miserably failed to redress the problems faced by these people,'' he alleged.

Replying to former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah's criticism about his village stays, Mr Kumaraswamy said had the rural masses no confidence in him, why would they stay with him till the wee hours to explain their problems during his visits.

''By making baseless charges against my government, leaders like Siddaramaiah and C M Ibrahim, who deserted JD(S) to join Congress recently, were providing free entertainment to the people of Karnataka,'' the Chief Minister noted.

Welcoming Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's statements that BJP would adopt Ullal if his party won the byelection, Mr Kumaraswamy said, ''At least BJP felt the need to make such an announcement. I will be happy if problems faced by the people of Ullal are properly addressed.'' Mr Yediyurappa's remarks had attracted criticism from the Congress, which said it would file a petition in the Election Commission against the BJP for violationg the election code.

Meanwhile, Mr Kumaraswamy denied that JD(S) had fielded a candidate to ''divide'' the minority votes to defeat the Congress.

''We are serious to win this election. It is the Congress party which is trying to help the BJP by fielding a 'namesake' candidate who had no political standing,'' he remarked.

UNI