JD(S) will contest Assembly bypolls alone: Kumaraswamy

Mysore, Nov 5 (UNI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) State President H D Kumaraswamy today said his party would not have an alliance with any party to contest the byelections for the eight seats in the State Assembly.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said the party has decided to go alone in the by-elections under instructions from Party Natioal President and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

Though some leaders left the party, it still had a strong worker base and was able to fight the elections alone, he claimed.

Referring to the recent elections to the Upper House in which both the Congress and the JD(S) failed to make any impression, Mr Kumaraswamy criticised the ruling BJP and alleged huge money played vital role in the elections in which local body representatives were ''purchased to vote.'' There would be no impact on the Assembly bypolls and real voters would decide the fate of the MLAs who left their parties to join hands with the ruling BJP for power, he said.

He also challenged the BJP leaders to take oath in the name of Ram stating money was not used in the Legislative Council elections to win seats.

Mr Kumaraswamy accused the BJP Government of spending taxpayer's money for party programmes and alleged the 'Hampi Festival' had become a complete party programme with even senior BJP leaders like L K Advani using the festival for making a political speech.

UNI BSP AKM RJ NS1630