JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy on Monday asserted that his party will give a tough competition to the BJP and the Congress in the forthcoming state Assembly elections.

Addressing a party convention at Town Hall here, he appealed to the leaders and workers to sink their differences and put up a united fight in the coming elections. He claimed that  there was a strong undercurrent against the Congress and the BJP as they have failed to retain the people’s trust. “The people of Dakshina Kannada should understand that the BJP has created rift in society with its ideologies. The BJP promises to substantially increase the budget amount, but it has also doubled the State’s debt. The BJP has not fulfilled any of the assurances given in the election manifesto,” he alleged.

Criticising the Congress for not playing an effective role as the opposition party, he said it neither raised the voice nor exposed misappropriations by BJP leaders. “During her recent visit to Mangalore, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had asked party leaders to sort out their differences and highlight the BJP’S corruption before the public. Her message only reveals that the Congress has not yet planned the strategies and is not ready to face the elections,” said Kumaraswamy.

Deatils of additional fund

Later speaking to media persons, he criticised Sonia Gandhi for demanding the State government to provide details of utilisation of grants sanctioned by the Centre. He said it was the responsibility of the Centre to grant funds to all States and there was nothing great in the UPA government sanctioning funds to Karnataka. “The Centre has sanctioned the amount to the State which was due to it. The Centre has not given any additional amount to deal with drought and other problems in the state. If at all the Centre has granted additional amount, then let it provide the details,” he added.

He said that the party will release the election manifesto within 15 days. The manifesto will be unique and scientifically planned and will give priority to solve the problems faced by farmers.

On the possible impact of Congress leader S M Krishna’s entry into the State politics, he said it would probably create more rift in the Congress, than doing good to the party. “His entry to the state politics is likely to increase the differences of opinion in the Congress,” he added.

Party leader Zamir Ahmed Khan, State Youth JD(S) President Madhu Bangarappa, JD(S) State Vice-president Amarnath Shetty and others were present.