Ansari didn't say JD(S) will support Cong in Koppal: Deve Gowda

Gangavati MLA’s statement misinterpreted, former PM says

The JD(S) on Friday scrambled to control the damage caused by the reported statement of its Gangavati MLA, Iqbal Ansari, that the party would support the Congress candidate in the Koppal parliamentary constituency. 

Ansari’s statement has been “misinterpreted” and what he actually meant was that the JD(S) would support a secular party in Koppal, the party’s national president, H D Deve Gowda, told reporters here. The JD(S) could not find a strong candidate in Koppal and hence opted out, he asserted. 

Chamarajpet MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, who is considered the Muslim face of the JD(S), insisted that the Congress was not a secular party. The Babri Masjid was demolished when the Congress party was in power at the Centre. In Koppal, the BSP and the AAP have fielded candidates. The JD(S) will take a decision on supporting a secular party there, he added. 

The JD(S) wanted to field Ansari in Koppal but he declined the offer. Gowda later reportedly tasked him with finding a suitable candidate. Ansari, however, said at the last minute that he could not succeed. 

The JD(S) tried convincing the sitting MP, Shivaramagouda of the BJP—who was denied ticket by his party— to contest the election. It also tried to woo the BSR Congress leader, Virupakshappa. But the efforts did not bear fruits. Congress has fielded K Basavaraj Itnal who faces a tough battle against Karadi Sanganna of the BJP. 

There are rumours that Ansari has entered into a tacit understanding with the Congress. Also, several JD(S) workers in Koppal, including Ansari’s supporters, have reportedly joined the Congress. 

This is not the only loss of face for the JD(S) patriarch. C K Jaffer Sharief, who was upset with the Congress party after it denied him the ticket, recently cosied up to the JD(S), hinting that he would contest as its candidate in Mysore. 

He, however, backtracked days later. It is said that Sharief used the JD(S) platform to bargain hard with the Congress. 

‘DKS more corrupt than GJR’ 

Gowda also criticised the Congress minister, D K Shivakumar, saying he is more corrupt than the jailed mining baron G Janardhana Reddy. Shivakumar’s brother, D K Suresh, is the Congress candidate for Bangalore Rural. 

The chief minister inducted him into the Cabinet although he faces serious charges of wrongdoing. 

“Let there be a fair investigation against him (Shivakumar). The UPA government controls the CBI and the enforcement directorate. How can anyone fight corruption by controlling the CBI,” he asked. 

Gowda also said he would tour some key constituencies, including Bangalore Rural, in the coming days. “Ramanagar gave me political rebirth. I will visit every taluk to seek people’s support,” he said. “Nobody can finish me off politically. The electoral results will prove that the JD(S) is a force to reckon with.”