JD(S) Joined Forces With BJP To "Destroy" Congress In Karnataka: H D Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda declared on Friday (55 January) that his party has strategically allied with the BJP with the explicit goal of "destroying" the Congress in Karnataka.

As reported by Deccan Herald, Gowda expressed confidence in the BJP-JD(S) coalition securing victory in all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state, predicting the end of the "Congress era" post the elections.

Addressing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's assertion of the Congress winning 20 Lok Sabha seats, Gowda dismissed it as a dream, emphasizing that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP-JD(S) alliance would dismantle the Congress stronghold in Karnataka.

Backing the BJP's stance against the Congress government in Karnataka, especially regarding the reopening of a 31-year-old case, Gowda labeled it as "vendetta."

As an NDA partner, he expressed solidarity with the BJP in its battle against the Congress over the arrest related to the Ram Mandir agitation.

Gowda also disclosed that seat-sharing decisions between the BJP and JD(S) for the Lok Sabha polls are pending and will be finalized post the Sankranti festival.

Accusing the Congress government of diverting funds from Karnataka for elections in other states, Gowda pointed fingers at Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, alleging him to be the facilitator of the fund transfer.

In a separate matter, Gowda highlighted a letter he sent to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging the government to take over the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project.

Failure to do so, according to Gowda, would stain Siddaramaiah's political career, urging the state to reclaim 13,404 acres of farmers' land in the company's possession.

The veteran leader underscored that despite his letter and a phone call to the CM, no action has been taken, expressing bewilderment over the delay.