Silvester D' Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (EP/SP)

Kundapur, Mar 22: "JD(S) is strong in Shimoga Lok Sabha Constituency. Out of seven Assembly constituencies three are held by the JD(S). So the constituency is easy for the JD(S)," said MLA of Soraba constituency Madhu Bangarappa.

Speaking to reporters at Hemmadi on Friday March 21, he said that the constituency has a unique geography. "Let there be no fear that there will be no development as Byndoor is a part of Shimoga. If JD(S) gets elected the party will give equal importance to the development of Byndoor," he said.

"Our sister Geetha Shivaraj will submit her nomination in Shimoga on March 24. The party will also be united. The far sightedness of Bangarappa and sincere governance and Dr Rajkumar's goodwill will give us strength. We have got good response from the people. Ours is a secular governance. We do not govern on the basis of religion. We look at everybody as equals. So we will be supported by all the people," he said.

"Our party won three seats during the last elections by a good margin. Shamanappa won by 10,500 votes, Appaji Gowda with 43,500 votes and I won by 22,500 votes. Even the Congress has not won by such huge margins. Last elections have shown that BJP influence in Shimoga is nil. JD(S) is stronger than BJP and Congress in Shimoga," he said.

"BJP is chanting NaMo tune these days. They claim that Yeddyurappa has come to BJP with the influence of Modi. Eshwarappa and Yeddyurappa who were like enemies a few months ago have become one. Their politics is an insult to the country. They have gone to jail due to bad governance. They are now busy misleading the people. However Yeddyurappa's game will not work this time. People are alert and concerned about the development in their constituencies," he added.

"Well-known leaders in the BJP are deserted. We can hear only the name of Modi. How will the future of the country be if Modi gets the power? The people have to support JD(S) whose policy is communal harmony," he said.

"Yeddyurappa had made his son stand for elections when Bangarappa contested then. Now he himself is standing for elections. Why is the ticket not given to Raghavendra? Is it due to greed of power or due to fear that the son has not worked for the constituency for the last five years?" questioned Madhu Bangarappa.

"The voters of Shimoga constituency have now got an opportunity to show their gratitude to former chief minister Bangarappa, for favours received by the state and the constituency from him. Bangarappa’s fans should come forward to work for JD(S) candidate, Geetha Shivarajkumar. We have to defeat BJP candidate Yeddyurappa and his party, who have always got involved with the task of dividing the society on communal and caste lines," he appealed.

Madhu opted to skip discussions on family affairs and allegations of breaking Raj Kumar family made against his sister and JDS candidate, Geetha Shivarajkumar, by his elder brother, Kumar Bangarappa. He said he has been hurt by this allegation and felt that this statement represents frustration his brother is feeling. He accused BJP of seeking votes in the name of an individual who has been projected as a prime ministerial candidate.

Dhananjay Kumar said that planning is necessary in this election. "I need a forum to serve the people. BJP does not want me. So I have joined JD(S) as I like their principles. We can see several projects started by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. He sincerely thought about the welfare of the country. JD(S) is going to people as a strong political force," he said.

"The election will get prominence due to local issues rather than national issues. We can see good response in the district. I know about the area. It is an advantage that I am also from this place," he said.

Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency candidate Dhanajay Kumar, JD(S) district president Deviprasad Shetty, taluk leaders N Manjayya Shetty, Jagadish Yadiyala, Srikanth Adiga, Manasoor Ibrahim, Annappa Soraba, women's unit leader Kenchanooru Shalini Shetty, Chariyabba Saheb, Ranjith Kumar and others were present.