Date:29/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/29/stories/2006122909550400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`JD(S) will contest all seats in local bodies polls'

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Janata Dal (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda on Thursday declared that his party would not tie up with any other party for the forthcoming elections to urban local bodies.

Speaking to presspersons after admitting some BJP leaders from Gadag district into the party in Bangalore, Mr. Deve Gowda asserted that his party would contest all the seats. Mr. Deve Gowda made the remarks while replying to a query on whether the JD (S) would forge an alliance with any party for the elections.

He also stated that the appointment of a new president to the party's State unit would be taken up after the expansion of the Ministry and nominations to boards and corporations would also be done.

He would involve those who did not get representation in the Ministry or in boards and corporations, in party-building activity.

Mr. Deve Gowda said the party was committed to implementing internal reservation among the backward classes.

On the occasion, 125 BJP leaders from Nargund Assembly constituency in Gadag district joined the JD (S) in the presence of Mr. Deve Gowda.

He termed this as a "political polarisation" which had commenced after the byelections to the Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency.

He claimed that the JD (S)-BJP Government headed by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had made good progress in providing facilities to minorities.

He would be thankful to the Prime Minister if he emulated the programmes of his son's Government, Mr. Deve Gowda remarked. Referring to the Prime Minister's plans to provide reservation for Muslims, he said there should not be difference between the words and action.