Secular credentials of JD-S tainted: HDK

Dongoan (Gulbarga), Aug 22: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said joining hands with the BJP to form a coalition government had slightly damaged the secular credentials of the JD(S) in the state. Addressing a press conference here, he said the government, by allying with the BJP, had damaged to some extent the credentials of the JD(S) but at the same time he made it clear that he was satisfied with the performance of the present government.

Justifying the coalition with BJP, Mr Kumaraswamy said the then JD(S) leaders and activists had expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the party, which led him to join hands with BJP in order to save and strengthen the party.

On JD(S) activists and leaders expressing fears over ''how to fight'' in the ensuing Assembly elections, the Chief Minister indirectly hinted that the party workers were in an inconvenient state.

''We reached alliance with the BJP only to protect the party and to infuse confidence in the party workers. It happened when JD(S) was losing its ground'' he clarified.

He said, ''nobody (no political party) is untouchable in politics'' and cited that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan had played a crucial role in the NDA and were now doing so in the UPA now.

''Despite joining hands with the BJP for forming a coalition government in the state, the JD(S) is committed to the welfare of minorities in the state,'' he clarified.

The Chief Minister who was in the village as part of his ''overnight stay in villages'' to know first-hand the problems of the people, alleged that the Maharashtra government had mounted pressure on the Centre for not renaming Belgaum city.

UNI