JOIN USHome Minister G Parameshwara has said that the BJP, which had claimed that the recently held Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls were the semi-finals for the 2018 Assembly polls, has tasted defeat and “it is time for them to go home.”
Parameshwara inspected the works on Karakada Lift Irrigation Project in Belur taluk on Friday. The project will supply drinking water to parts of Chikkamagaluru district.
Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara, who is also the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, ridiculed BJP State president B S Yeddyurappa’s comments during the election campaign.
“Yeddyurappa had exuded confidence of winning the bypolls and proceed to the finals. But, now that Congress candidates have won the election, the losers (BJP) cannot play the finals and have to go home,” he said.
He said BJP’s allegation that the Congress has won the bypolls by distributing money and liquor is irresponsible and absurd.
The Home minister pointed out that the state faced 21 bypolls in 2013 when the BJP was in power. “Did the BJP supply money and liquor to win the elections?” he sought to know.
Parameshwara predicted that the Congress would come to power again in the next general elections. He, however, declined to reply to a question on coalition with other parties in the election.
He justified Chief Minister Siddaramaiah taking Mandya Superintendent of Police
Sudhir Kumar Reddy to task during a programme in Malavalli, Mandya district, on Thursday.
“It is the duty of the Police department to be alert and check any untoward incident during the chief minister’s visit. The incident was definitely a security lapse. The BJP supporters had just waved black flags and shouted slogans. What would have happened if they had resorted to stone throwing? There is nothing wrong in the chief minister getting angry with the SP for the incident,” he said.