No confusion about alliance with BJP in Greater Bengaluru elections: Kumaraswamy

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Bengaluru, Jan 16 (IANS) Allaying fears of differences between the BJP and JD(S) in local body polls, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, announced that there is no confusion about an alliance in the Bengaluru civic polls.

Kumaraswamy made the statement while speaking at a meeting held at the party office in the presence of the party’s National President and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on the Greater Bengaluru elections.

He further stressed that party workers and leaders must work in a manner that does not harm the alliance in the upcoming Greater Bengaluru elections. He urged everyone to work unitedly with the objective of securing victories in more wards.

Kumaraswamy said that if there are any local issues or misunderstandings, leaders should not make public statements about them. “Bring such matters to our notice. Do not give statements in public,” he cautioned.

Referring to the Maharashtra local body elections, Kumaraswamy said the NDA alliance has performed well and expressed confidence that the same results would be repeated in Bengaluru as well.

He called upon BJP and JD(S) workers and leaders to work together to achieve this outcome.

He said people are fed up with the ruling Congress party’s misgovernance in the state.

“They have destroyed Bengaluru’s infrastructure. Potholes are visible everywhere you step. Through taxes and price hikes, people are being looted. People are ready to teach them a fitting lesson. We must make the people aware of this,” Kumaraswamy advised.

H.D. Deve Gowda addressed the gathering and said leaders and workers must strengthen the party at the ward and booth levels.

“Our party has a strong base in Bengaluru. I have contributed to the city’s development as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. Convey this to the people. We brought Cauvery water to Bengaluru, built the Sirsi Circle flyover, promoted the IT sector, and gave tax concessions to that sector.

“Explain all these achievements of our party to the people of the city,” he instructed party leaders and workers.

Youth Janata Dal State President Nikhil Kumaraswamy, Core Committee Chairman M. Krishnareddy, Legislature Party Leader Suresh Babu, MP Mallesh Babu, along with leaders from all Bengaluru city constituencies and former MLAs, were present on the occasion.

–IANS

mka/rad

Related Posts

All eyes on Sharmishta: Dutch MP Geert Wilders backs arrested influencer

Amsterdam, June 1 (IANS) Dutch Member of Parliament Geert Wilders has come out in support of 22-year-old Indian law student and influencer Sharmishta Panoli, who was arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through her social media posts.

Calling the arrest a “disgrace for the freedom of speech”, the right-wing Dutch lawmaker urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure Panoli’s release.

“Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli! It’s a disgrace for the freedom of speech that she was arrested. Don’t punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad. Help her, Narendra Modi,” Wilders posted on X, along with an image of Panoli with “All eyes on Sharmishta” written on it.

Panoli was arrested on Saturday in Kolkata for posting videos containing communal remarks during Operation Sindoor — India’s counterterror strike following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, including one Nepali national.

The FIR filed against her includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting enmity on religious grounds, deliberately outraging religious feelings, and provoking a breach of peace.

Despite deleting the video and issuing a public apology, Panoli was produced in court and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Her arrest has triggered a political backlash, especially from the BJP, which has accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of a “vote-bank vendetta”.

“Why was Sharmishta Panoli arrested overnight for a deleted video, which triggered no riot or unrest?” questioned West Bengal BJP president and Union Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar.

“When TMC leaders insult Sanatan Dharma, call ‘Jai Shri Ram’ a gaali, and mock the Maha Kumbh, there is no FIR, no arrest, no apology. This is not justice, this is appeasement politics,” he said.

Known for his outspoken stance against radical Islam, Wilders had previously extended support to former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma during the global uproar over her remarks on Prophet Muhammad. He had described her statements as “truthful” and accused Islamic nations of intimidating India into silence.

–IANS

int/sd/dpb

JD(U) removes Manipur unit chief for ‘indiscipline’, reaffirms support to NDA govt

Patna, Jan 22 (IANS) In a swift disciplinary action, the Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday removed its Manipur unit chief, Virendra Singh, from his position after he withdrew support from the BJP-led government in the state.

Clarifying the party’s stance, JD(U)’s national spokesperson, Rajiv Ranjan, dismissed rumours about the party’s withdrawal of support from the NDA government in Manipur.

He emphasised that JD(U) remains committed to supporting the ruling coalition in Manipur. Ranjan stated, “Some misleading news is being circulated regarding the JD(U) Manipur unit. I want to clarify that our party will continue to support the NDA government in Manipur. The state president was removed on charges of indiscipline. Our support for the NDA government will continue as before.”

He further underlined JD(U)’s commitment to strengthening the NDA alliance. “JD(U) has consistently worked to strengthen the NDA, not only in Manipur but also in Bihar and across the country. We will maintain the same dedication moving forward,” Ranjan added.

The JD(U) spokesperson also addressed concerns about the party’s stance in Manipur. He confirmed that the sole JD(U) MLA in the state, Mohammad Abdul Nasir, will continue to support Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s NDA government.

“Previously, there were six JD(U) MLAs in Manipur, but five of them joined the BJP. Now, only one MLA, Mohammad Abdul Nasir, remains with JD(U), and his support for the NDA government will continue,” the spokesperson emphasised.

Neeraj Kumar, JD(U) MLC and spokesperson, has reiterated the party’s strong alliance with the BJP-led NDA at both the central and state levels. Speaking on the controversy surrounding the party’s Manipur unit, Kumar stated, “JD(U) is an important partner of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. In Bihar, the NDA government is running smoothly under Nitish Kumar’s leadership. There is no crack between the BJP and JD(U).”

The remarks follow the disciplinary action taken against JD(U)’s Manipur state president, Virendra Singh, after he unauthorisedly submitted a letter to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, withdrawing support from the NDA government.

Kumar clarified, “The state president acted without authorisation, and the party has taken strict disciplinary measures against him.” The disciplinary action against Virendra Singh highlights JD(U)’s commitment to maintaining party discipline and its alliance with the BJP-led NDA across the country.

–IANS

ajk/uk