The Hindu : Karnataka News : Congress will respond to criticism from JD(S): Poojary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Congress will respond to criticism from JD(S): Poojary

By Our Staff Correspondent

BIDAR, SEPT. 27. The president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, B. Janardhana Poojary, on Monday criticised the Janata Dal (Secular) leaders for not keeping their "promise" not to criticise his party's leaders during the Bidar Lok Sabha byelection campaign.

Addressing presspersons, he said the Janata Dal president, H.D. Deve Gowda, had promised in public that his party leaders would not criticise the Congress. However, the statements of the JD(S) working president, H.D. Kumaraswamy, showed that the party had not taken the promise seriously.

Mr. Poojary said the Congress did not want to criticise the Janata Dal (Secular) during the campaign. "However, if that party criticises us, we will give a fitting reply," he added.

Dissidence ruled out

He denied the allegation that some Congress leaders were secretly working for the defeat of the party candidate. "I will camp here for 15 days and ensure there is no dissidence or infighting," he said. He denied rumours that the Aurad MLA, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, and former Minister Bheemanna Khandre were not supporting the Congress nominee, Narsingrao Suryavanshi.

Mr. Poojary said the Janata Dal (S) had not agreed to the proposal to field a common candidate from Bidar as it was worried about its survival.

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