Daijiworld Media Network - Shimoga (SP)
Shimoga, Jun 16: "I may be down, not out" announced defeated Congress Party candidate S Bangarappa. The former Chief Minister declared that he would not bow out of politics because of this defeat. Speaking at a programme organized at Ambedkar Bhavan here on Monday June 15, he said he had been winning elections since long and that this defeat can not drive him out of active politics. He thanked the Congress Party for reposing faith in him and apologized for not being able to win this seat this time.
"The people valued liquor and money more than what I did for them as Chief Minister and MP.”Those who reaped benefits out of me have also deserted me and voted for the BJP. People, who suffered at the hands of Yeddyurappa when he was the deputy Chief Minister, also favoured him this time. Because of such ungrateful people, I was defeated," Bangarappa added. As people get their work done and then cheat their leaders, he said, he has decided not to help them henceforth.
Talking about the internal feud in the BJP he said, both Yeddyurappa and Bellary mining barons are sticking to their guns and that a clearer picture would emerge in a few days.
Former minister and Congress leader Kagodu Timmappa accused the BJP government of seeking to take revenge against those who did not vote for the party. He called upon the party workers to ensure that the faith reposed on the people of the state by the central leadership by allotting ministerial berths to four from the state, is reciprocated by working to make the central government programmes reach the beneficiaries.