Congress leaders invite JD(S) MLA for reality check in Varuna

Mysore district Congress Committee (rural) president B J Vijaykumar, on Friday, took exception to the remarks made by Janata Dal (Secular) MLA G T Devegowda against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Addressing media, Vijaykumar pooh-poohed the allegations made by Gowda against Siddaramaiah for not giving due representation to Dalits and other lower castes, while selecting candidates to contest the recently concluded Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections.

Substantiating his claim, Vijaykumar said, a Dalit youth was given ticket to contest TP elections from Harohalli (Mellahalli), which was open for a general candidate. Likewise, there were several such candidates who were pitted in the polls, he added.

Vijaykumar denied the allegation that Congress failed to deliver in the elections. Though the party could win 22 seats, the party nominees lost in eight seats by a thin margin of eight to 130 votes.

Valmiki ST Development Corporation Chairman S C Basavaraju invited Devegowda for a reality check in Varuna Assembly constituency, represented by Siddaramaiah.
Downplaying Gowda’s allegations against the chief minister for ignoring the development of the constituency, Basavaraju listed out road works and works on bridges taken up at a cost of several crores of rupees. If Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, presently represented by Gowda, has witnessed any development, it was only during the tenure of Siddaramaiah, who represented the segment for several years, till he switched over to Varuna, Basavaraju added.

Ramakrishne Gowda, a senior Congress leader from Hunsur, refuted that Devegowda played a main role in shaping the political career of Siddaramaiah as claimed by the former.

Siddaramaiah had already forayed into politics as taluk board member, when Gowda was still working at a fair price shop, he pointed out.