Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 20: Keeping personal differences and political bitterness aside, JD(S) Supremo HD Deve Gowda and former chief minister Siddaramaiah were seen on the same dais, addressing a joint press conference on Saturday, in the wake of the upcoming November 3 by-polls.

The show of strength aimed to reinforce the Congress-JD(S) alliance, which will be fighting against their common political enemy the BJP.

Addressing the media, Deve Gowda said that he and Siddaramaiah have gotten over their past differences, and aim to make the coalition government and the upcoming five by-elections successful. “We are sharing the same dais after 12 years. We are also asking people our forgiveness for our differences having come as a deterrent,” he said and appealed to the grass root workers of both parties to come in terms with the coalition and fight unitedly against the BJP.

Deve Gowda added that he has no personal grudges with BS Yeddyurappa or any other BJP leader. “BJP becomes our enemy only due to ideological differences. We request party workers to come together due to national issues on stake,” he said.

Siddaramaiah said that Congress and JD(S) will campaign together for the upcoming by-polls, if the need arises.

He agreed that both parties have fought individually but are now united due to unavoidable circumstances. “It is not correct for the party-workers to show differences. HD Deve Gowda is a former prime minister and is taking the lead in stopping communal forces in the country. With the current political scenario in the country, it requires us to be united,” Siddaramaiah stressed.

The dais included CM HD Kumaraswamy, Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar, Deputy CM G Parameshwara and KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao.