Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Mar 6: Former mayor K Ashraf and former MUDA chairman Ramesh S joined the JD(S) in the presence of the party state president H D Kumaraswamy during the JD(S) convention held at Town Hall here on Tuesday March 6.

While K Ashraf was formerly in Congress, Ramesh S was a member of the BJP.

Addressing the gathering, Kumaraswamy said, "I welcome former mayor Ashraf and former MUDA chairman Ramesh to JD(S). Their induction will strengthen our party in the district.

"I have been visiting several districts in the state. As election is nearing, two national leaders are stepping into Karnataka - Congress president Rahul Gandhi and BJP president Amit Shah. In between is my lone battle with the support of the people.

"During the past 10 years of my political career I have seen the administrations of both the national parties in the state. Problems in this state are different and they should be reviewed in detail. There should be discussion on development of the society. Problems in Karnataka are farmer suicides, unemployment and no security for women - these have to be discussed, but neither the BJP nor the Congress is giving importance to these issues," he said.

Referring to the BJP's Jana Suraksha Yatra that was going on in the adjacent Nehru Maidan, he said, "Now in Nehru Maidan Yogi Adityanath (UP chief minister) is delivering speech. I want to ask him, when you cannot protect the children of your own state, how can you protect this district? Why is Yogi coming here? BJP leaders in Karnataka have become Bhogis, so they had to call this Yogi. They should be ashamed. See how innocents are blowing whistles at Nehru Maidan.

"It was impossible for Congress to kick away BJP's cheap politics. During the last four years of BJP's tenure in the centre, what did they give to the state or to Mangaluru? Nothing. Employment is nil. Why communal violence is happening only here? Are you not fed up with this? Do not ruin your life by supporting these parties," Kumaraswamy said.

"BJP is not organising rally or any programme to tell about the party's contribution and ask votes, but only to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Modi. After elections Modi will tell you bye. I request people to give opportunity to JD(S) to run the administration and I am confident about the support from the people.

"BJP is organising Jana Suraksha Yatra. Who are they and when and how they will protect people? It was impossible for Congress to bring the situation in the district to normalcy. We need peace and employment. We do not want to see trishuls in the hands of youths to create communal violence and go to jail.

"The present Congress government too has looted tax money of the people, and people will give fitting reply in the coming days. JD(S) will always work for all and also protect the poor," he added.

"At present we are in an atmosphere of fear. Do we need to live in fear like this? I am confident that people will support and we will win the forthcoming elections.

"I also urge JD(S) supporters in the district to organise a convention at Nehru Maidan where people of all religions take part and also invite leaders from other parties to it. I openly challenge leaders of other parties to speak about their programmes for the people and even I will do the same," Kumaraswamy said.

Ashraf in his address said, "Today I joined JD(S) as I was fed up with Congress. You would have noticed that they are unjust to minorities and also known for making fake promises. They said that they will arrest Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat but they never did and will never do it. I have always worked for justice with United Muslim Organization which is why I was sidelined. I will always fight for justice."

Ramesh S said, "I am happy to join JD(S) under the leadership of Kumaraswamy and I am looking forward to new a political career."