Date:18/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/18/stories/2008111854390500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

It’s a pro-secular, pro-farmer wave, says Kumaraswamy

Special Correspondent

‘Anti-incumbency feeling against BJP Government is beginning to show’

About 2.6 lakh people attended the convention
‘Real challenge to defeat those who defected to BJP, in bypoll’

BANGALORE: The new State unit president of the Janata Dal (Secular) H.D. Kumaraswamy, who assumed office at the Janata Dal (Secular) rejuvenation convention, said that the “unprecedented” crowd was reflective of a “pro-secular and pro-farmer wave.” He also said the anti-incumbency feeling against the Bharatiya Janata Party Government in the State was beginning to show. However, the real challenge before the party was to defeat those leaders who had joined the BJP and contested elections on the BJP ticket in the coming byelections.

State unit general secretary Y.S.V. Datta, who had expected nearly 1.5 lakh people for the convention, said: “The number of people has surpassed our expectations, nearly 2.6 lakh people attended the convention, according to intelligence sources”.

The larger crowd arrived minutes before Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda was to begin his address. Seeing the flood of people entering the venue, Mr. Gowda allowed some more time for the people to settle down, but the crowds kept streaming in and finally party leaders told him to begin. Mr. Gowda was unable to stand for a long time and was even escorted to the podium supported by party leaders.

Speaking to The Hindu, party leader M.C. Nanaiah said the BJP Government had taken the money power and religious fundamentalism too far and it was time for the Janata Dal (Secular) to assert itself and re-assure the people of its support against fundamentalism and corruption. Basavaraj Horatti also felt that the rejuvenation convention has been organised at the right time and it received the right response from the people. Many people not able to enter the main pandal stood outside and listened to the speeches. The backdrop on the huge stage had the pictures of Buddha, Basaveshwara, Kanakadasa, Tipu Sultan, Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Jayaprakash Narayan, Mother Teresa and . Deve Gowda.

It provided quite an acoustic effect when about a lakh people took the oath in unison pledging support to the party. Mr. Datta administered the oath.