Siddaramaiah follows 'divide and rule' policy: HDK

State JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy, on Wednesday, accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of playing resort politics and luring Vokkaliga community people.

His reaction comes in the wake of a few leaders belonging to the Vokkaliga community in Chamundeshwari Assembly segment, extending their support to Siddaramaiah.

Addressing a press conference in a private hotel, here, Kumaraswamy said, "Siddaramaiah is a professional in resort politics and he is indulged in luring a few Vokkaliga community leaders of Chamundeshwari segment."

It is believed that Siddaramaiah is likely to contest from the Vokkaliga dominated Chamundeshwari segment in the upcoming election. The CM took out the first round of campaigning in the segment, last week. During his campaign, the CM, along with his supporters, had held a confidential meeting at a resort in Bandipur.

Pointing at the statements of a few leaders belonging to Vokkaliga community in the constituency, that Siddaramaiah is beyond caste considerations and that the Vokkaligas will support him, Kumaraswamy said, "The CM has managed to take a few Vokkaligas into confidence, which shows his nervousness. Siddaramaiah has been targeting a particular community people, which smacks of his caste politics. Siddaramaiah has been following the 'divide and rule' policy for his selfish motives."

No alliance with NCP

When the reporters asked about the alliance between the JD(S) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Sharad Pawar, Kumaraswamy claimed that the JD(S) will not join hands with NCP. "I have declared that the JD(S) will not come under an alliance with the NCP, when NCP president Pawar visited Belagavi, seeking support for the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES)," Kumaraswamy said.

No fear of defeat

Kumaraswamy, who is likely to contest from two Assembly segments - Ramanagaram and Channapatna said that he is contesting from two segments owing to people's demand and not due to any fear of defeat as alleged by the opposition leaders.

"I had decided to contest from Ramanagaram earlier. But, the people of Channapatna have been putting pressure on me to field one of our family members. As we have decided to restrict the contestants
from our family to only two, I am contesting from Channapatna," Kumaraswamy said.