From our special correspondent
Daijiworld media network

Hassan (Arkalgud), Apr 12: JDS leader and Mandya Lok Sabha candidate from JDS-BJP combine H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday poured venom at KPCC chief and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and asserted that the people will decide whether he is politically relevant or irrelevant.

Campaigning for his nephew Prajwal Revanna, son of his brother H D Revanna, at Ramanathapura of Arkalgud in Hassan district, he told media persons that the desperation of the Congress leaders, especially Shivakumar, was evident in the latter’s criticism of the dinner hosted by him at his Bidadi farm house in connection with Ugadi festival.

Kumaraswamy claimed that arrogance has gone to Shivakumar’s head and he speaks of being not bothered by myself. “Have I ever asked him to count on me? It is for the 6.5 crore people of the State to decide whether they need me or not,” he said.

Responding to Shivakumar’s statement that he was a ‘straight figher’, the JDS leader said he was fully aware of the find of fighter that Shivakumar is. “You (Shivakumar) were trained under Kotwal Ramachandra,” he said and contended that his arrogance will meet its end soon.

In answer to the criticism that his family has come up by cultivating potatoes, Kumaraswamy claimed that he has come up the hard way and established his farm house. “I have not encroached the land of others or of the government and fenced it,” he said without naming Shivakumar.

In response to Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy’s charge that he had tapped the phone of Adichunchanagiri Mutt pontiff Sri Nirmalananda Swamiji, Kumaraswamy countered: “If I resorted to phone tapping, why did I allow my own government to be toppled. Let them conduct any probe.”

To the charge he and his father H D Deve Gowda had established alternative Mutt against the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Kumaraswamy answered by saying that there are several mutts in other communities. “We supported the establishment of another mutt. But should that become a political issue against me?” he asked.

The JDS leader attacked the Congress leaders for their criticism of meeting the Adichunchanagiri Mutt pontiff with candidates and leaders of BJP-JDS in connection with Ugadi festival, he said: “Yes, we met our Swamiji and sought his blessings. Is it wrong? Haven’t the Congress leaders called on the Swamiji?” he said.
Kumaraswamy claimed that he had sanctioned grants to 140 mutts as chief minister. “I support the good activities of the Mutts and it is nothing new,” he asserted.

He justified his statement that there will be political changes in the State within a year and said: “Politics is always evolving and is not stagnant. Just wait and watch.’’

Kumaraswamy termed Shivakumar’s statement that JDS will be wiped out and will not win a single Lok Sabha seat as “height of arrogance” and declared that the people will teach him a lesson. “They tried to finish us. I am trying to revive and rebuild the party,” he contended defending his alliance with BJP.

Answering questions on the Congress charge that Kumaraswamy is an ‘outsider’ to Mandya, the JDS leader shot back: “I am a Kannadiga. I was born in the State. If I am an outsider, how did Sonia Gandhi contest from Ballari and Indira Gandhi contested from Chikkamagaluru? Isn’t Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad?” and asked if he has no right to contest from Mandya or any other constituency.

The JDS leader wondered if Shivakumar has become an astrologer to predict that his party will not win even a single seat and said he has the support and blessings of the people.

Kumaraswamy claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Karnataka on April 14 to address a rally in Mysuru and he will be visiting 2 or 3 places. “I am addressing 50 meetings with BJP leaders and we are doing everything possible to win all the 28 seats in the State,” he said.

The JDS leader alleged that the Congress party is garlanding its own Youth Congress leaders and claiming publicity saying JDS workers and leaders have joined the party. “Congress party is desperate and worried about its imminent defeat,” he predicted.