Kumaraswamy to contest from H-K region

Sedam, Karnataka, Aug 22 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said he would contest from a constituency in the Backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region, in the next assembly elections.

Addressing a public meeting here last night, he said he was taking this step to give an impetus to the development of the region as it had remained Backward for long.

''Despite belonging to old Mysore area, I am committed to develop this region. This is the reason why I decided to contest from any assembly constituency in this region,'' he explained.

Coming down heavily on the Congress leaders for failing to come to the rescue of the people in the region, he alleged that leader of the opposition and former Chief Minister Dharam Singh and KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who belonged to Gulbarga district were responsible for the backwardness of the region.

''Inspite of being elected eight times from their respective constituencis to the Assembly from the H-K region, they (Mr Singh and Mr Kharge) did virtually nothing for the development of the region,'' he alleged.

''I had done my best to do what these tall leaders had failed to do during my 18-month tenure so far. Whether elected as Chief Minister or not, I will continue to strive to uplift the region to bring it on par with developed regions like Mysore,'' he said.

UNI