This convention has sent a message to our opponents that JD(S) is strong: H D Devegowda

Mysuru: Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda said that this convention has sent a message to our opponents-who are holding power in Karnataka, to the state and the world that JD(S) led by H D Kumarswamy is strong.

"People who have come in large numbers here from all 30 districts have answered this to those who tried to destroy the leadership of H D Revanna and his family and the JD(S) party in Hassan district, by holding two conventions in Hassan in the past two and half years.

These people have given a clear message, 'your game will not work and we are behind H D Kumarswamy and H D Revanna'" he said.

"I have trust in God. A time will come. Pl wait for a while," H D Devegowda said.

He touched the emotional chords of people by saying "After I suffered kidney failure two months ago, I am undergoing dialysis thrice a week. I underwent dialysis on Friday and am sitting here today."

He was speaking during a mega JD(S) Convention held at Hassan outskirts on Saturday.

Gifts to SIT officials

H D Devegowda alleged, "SIT officials through whom our opponents in power tried to finish H D Revanna and his family, have been given prizes. SIT officials arrested H D Revanna when he was with me in my second daughter Shylaja's house. They have made allegations about ownership of H D Kumarswamy's land.

They should remember, some leaders tried to destroy me by putting cases against me and made me lose legislative assembly elections. But people elected me and sent me as a Loksabha member in 1991. My soul is clean and I didn't bend to any and I don't have any obligation to any. As a farmer's son of this Nation whom you have nourished from 1962, I became PM and functioned without any black mark and ensured there was no injustice to any state. I have strived for the well being of all communities. I brought in 33% reservation for women in local body elections; enhanced reservation for SC/ST, contributed significantly for internal reservation aspects and so on," he said.

PM will launch bigger projects

He added, "A decade ago Rahul Gandhi came to Hassan and said that H D Devegowda is the B team of BJP, but now we have entered into an alliance and we are part of NDA and we are sharing power in administration. H D Kumarswamy is Union Minister for heavy industries and steel. I do not know how long I will be alive.

I am still not satisfied with all the work we have done, we have a lot more work to be done to strengthen all the people economically. We will bring PM Narendra Modi to Hassan for a much bigger convention than this, and all 18 MPs of State, and PM will inaugurate mega projects like Rs 900 Crore worth mega diary, Airport and IIT. Kumarswamy will get industrial clusters. The State Government must cooperate with him well atleast now," he said.

H D Devegowda said, "Rahul Gandhi kept alleging of Voti chori and got six seats in Bihar assembly elections. Those who won there also have moved to NDA. Congress is there only in three States now," he said.