Madhu Bangarappa files nomination papers with DKS, HDK

JD(S) nominee Madhu Bangarappa filed his papers for Lok Sabha election from the Shivamogga constituency with district election officer, also the DC, K A Dayananda in the city on Wednesday.

Madhu arrived at the deputy commissioner's (DC) office in a procession that passed through Gandhi Bazar, Amir Ahmed Circle, Nehru Road, Gopi Circle and Mahavira Circle.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar, senior Congress leader Kagodu Thimmappa, Bhadravathi MLA B K Sangamesh while filing nomination papers.

Earlier in the day, during an election rally at Gopi Circle, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not come to power at the Centre again. Knowing this, BJP was keen to enter into a pre-poll alliance with 13 regional parties in the country. The era of change would begin from Shivamogga, he hoped.

Reacting to BJP leaders' claim that regional parties had no national interest, he asked, "Does Modi have national interest?"

"Those who headed the country in the past had done more works than Modi and they safeguarded the interests of people. Making false promises is the national interest for BJP," he said.

He promised that Forest Rights Act would be amended if candidates of coalition partners are elected from the state in large numbers.

Reacting to BJP leader K S Eshwarappa's remark that Kumaraswamy would step down as chief minister after Lok Sabha polls, he said, "Do I need to step down as the chief minister for waiving farm loans of 44 lakh farmers?". He said voters will teach a lesson to Eshwarappa in the elections.

Madhu said he had completed two rounds of campaigning in the constituency. He said the leaders of Congress and JD(S) had resolved the dissidence within their parties and they were working for the victory of the JD(S).

"I will become the voice of the people of Shivamogga if I am elected as MP. Congress leaders D K Shivakumar, Kagodu Thimmappa, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and workers of both Congress and JD(S) are leaving no stone unturned for my victory in the Lok Sabha polls," the JD(S) candidate said.