Kumaraswamy to contest from Navalgund

Hubli, Oct 19 (UNI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said that he would contest from Navalgund constituency in the next election to the State Legislative Assembly.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that Navalgund has its own history and this is the place from where farmers movement in the State was launched. "I want to fight for the cause of the farmers and would fight for protecting their interests." Stating that his today's visit of Navalgund and Nargund was like kicking off second leg of political fight, he said that he would continue his 'Village Stay' programme and would be staying tonight in a poor farmer's house in Hudli village in Nargund Taluk.

Mr Kumaraswamy clarified that his visit had nothing to do with Politics. "I learnt from a section of the press that the people of Navalgund and Nargund, affected by recent floods, are suffering and I wanted to know their plight and fight for their cause." Regarding failure to handover power to BJP as per agreement, Mr Kumaraswamy alleged that "former Prime Minister and JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda's name was unnecessarily dragged into the issue. Mr Gowda never went to Delhi to discuss the issue with anybody, but BJP brought its national leader Yeshwant Sinha.

BJP was wholly responsible for non-transfer of power as their leaders were not ready for discussion on the issue and BJP itself created problem by its Ministers tendering resignation in a hurried manner".

Referring to former Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's readiness to prove his innocence in front of lord Manjunathaswamy, Mr Kumaraswamy said that "I am also ready to prove in front of the same lord if Mr Yediyurappa is willing. Let him (Mr Yediyurappa) also deny that he was once expressed willingness to come out of BJP if he was offered berth in the JD(S) cabinet." Ruling out possibility of his party joining hands with Congress to form coalition government in the state, Mr Kumaraswamy said that "we are ready to face the election".

UNI