Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Apr 22: Former MLC Ivan D'Souza criticized the JD(S) party for shifting their ideology for mere family politics. Additionally, he welcomed several JD(S) leaders to the Congress party.
Addressing the media on Monday, April 22 at the Mallikatte Congress office, Ivan D'Souza stated, "The JD(S) party leaders have expressed interest in joining the Congress party. The leader of the JD(S) party has appreciated and understood our ideology, and today, without any conditions, 50 members of the JD(S) party have joined the Congress party. The JD(S) party is relinquishing the 'S' in their name, which stands for 'secular,' a principle that they abandoned when they formed a coalition with the BJP party. It is alarming to witness the JD(S) party setting aside their ideology and focusing solely on family politics. If they join the BJP party, along with the BJP, the JD(S) party will lose its identity entirely. Congress leaders have instructed us to welcome JD(S) party members.
"The INDI Alliance is garnering increasing support from the public as each day passes. While the BJP alleges that the INDI Alliance is experiencing internal divisions, any friendly competition within our alliance will not benefit the BJP in any way. This time, the BJP will struggle to secure even 200 seats.
“The BJP has published advertisements in newspapers criticizing the Congress party and branding it as dangerous. However, I want to emphasize that the real danger lies with the Prime Minister, who allowed the state of Manipur to burn without even visiting. When Praveen Nettaru was killed, the BJP swiftly ensured a compensation of Rs 25 lac, but when a similar tragedy struck Masood Ali, they remained silent. It is worth noting that incidents like the cooker blast did not occur during Congress rule, and the Congress party provided compensation to the affected auto-rickshaw driver. Padmaraj ensured that a house was built for the auto driver. It is clear that the BJP has little interest in assisting minorities.
"The BJP, over the course of 10 years, has only provided us with empty promises, and their recent advertisement targeting the Congress is simply unbelievable. In a recent incident where a person was murdered in Uttar Kannada district, the BJP immediately alleged the involvement of Congress leaders and demanded a CBI inquiry into the case. However, the subsequent CBI inquiry revealed that the death was due to drowning. The BJP's attempt to politicize such tragedies for their own benefit is shameful. Despite their tactics, some BJP leaders managed to win elections by exploiting such cases,” he said.
When questioned by the media about voter confidence amidst internal issues within the INDI Alliance, Ivan D'Souza responded, "Although there are differences, we remain united in the end. In Kerala, we have our disagreements, but we will resolve them. Even Mamata Banerjee, who initially supported our alliance but later chose to stand independently, will never support the BJP. When it comes to support, she will stand with the INDI Alliance."
Regarding Mallikarjun Kharge's prominence within the Congress, D'Souza remarked, "Who better than Mallikarjun Kharge? While it is a habit of the BJP to shine their party by leveraging individual names, our ideology differs. Our procedure is for the parliamentary party to decide on our leader after the elections, as has always been the case."
When questioned further about the negativity in advertisements, D'Souza added, "We are not spreading hatred; we are educating people about reality. Our advertisements adhere to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission. Although you've seen what the BJP has done in our ads, in the future, we will also advertise focusing on future development."
JD(S) members Santhosh Kumar, Chitra Raj Shetty, Jeevan Padil, Jagadeesh Kavoor, Nisha, Prakash, Lathif along with other JD(S) party leaders joined the Congress party on the occasion.
J R Lobo, Yogesh Kumar, Shubhodaya Alva, Tanvir Shah, Shahul K and others were present.