By-poll is semifinal for forthcoming LS poll: CM Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru, 16 Oct 2018 [Fik/News Sources]: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said that the by-elections to be held for three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies were like a semi-final for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters at the party office here on Monday, the CM said that the BJP leaders have been making false allegations against the coalition government. But people knew how the coalition government was functioning. There was no need to conduct by-elections to three Lok Sabha constituencies at this time. But everyone should abide by the decision of the Election Commission, he said.

Congress and JDS have decided to field Madhu Bangarappa from Shivamogga constituency. He did not expect that Madhu Bangarappa would be defeated in Sorab constituency in the last Assembly elections, he said.

Madhu Bangarappa was an able candidate and he would win this by-election with a huge margin of votes. He would thank the Congress for its support in Shivamogga constituency, he said.

“I was pained for the defeat of Madhu in the last Assembly election. I want to groom him as a leader. So, we have decided to field him in the by-elections. He is like my brother and he treats me as his elder brother. I hope that people of Shivamogga constituency would not repeat the mistake they have committed in the last election and elect Madhu this time. But both Congress and JDS workers should work forgetting the personal enmity in order to defeat the BJP”, he appealed.

Madhu Bangarappa said that “I was disappointed due to the defeat in the Assembly election. But my father too was defeated in the elections. I have accepted that defeat. It is far from truth that I have been to foreign tour as I was not interested to contest the by-poll. I was on foreign tour before the announcement of the elections. Both Congress and JDS have unanimously chosen me for Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency and this has given me more strength. I was defeated in the last Assembly election for various reasons. People are well aware about BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa”, he said.

“I would meet Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and speak to him. I won’t do hide and seek politics as taught my father. I will follow it. I will not believe any time. Since tomorrow is the last day for filing nomination papers, I will file the papers as per the direction of JDS Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda”, he said.