Elections in Karnataka before end of President rule: Deve Gowda

Bangalore, Feb 26 (UNI) The elections to the dissolved Karnataka Legislative Assembly in all probability will be held before end of President rule in May 2008, Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) National President H D Deve Gowda predicted today.

Addressing Party workers here, Mr Gowda called upon the workers to get prepared as the elections was likely to be held before the expiry of the six months President's rule imposed on November last.

He said that the elections would be held after the delimitation process was completed. The Central Election Commission which had taken up the task of redefining the assembly constituencies in Mandya district on experimental basis has completed it within 3 days and it is a clear signal that elections to Karnataka assembly will not be postponed beyond May 2008, he added.

Coming down heavily on both BJP and Congress in Karnataka, Mr Gowda alleged that the one point agenda of both these parties was to see the destruction of JD(S).

Mr Gowda challenged both BJP and Congress stating that JD(S) can not be destroyed as it has taken strong root in the hearts and minds of lakhs of committed party workers who believed in secularism, socialism and overall development of the state.

Severely criticising the Governor's rule in Karnataka, Mr Gowda said that only agenda before Governor Rameshwar Thakur was to effect those officers who were suspected of JD(S) sympathisers. " Even the Village Accountants were not being spared from transfer" Mr Gowda alleged Announcing that JD(S) was strong enough to take on both BJP and Congress, Mr Gowda said that his party will maintain its identity at any cost and will not succumb to any pressures from any political parties. Appealing the party workers to strive hard to keep afloat the party Mr Gowda said that it was necessary to protect the interests of poor and oppressed classes in the society.

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