Mangalore, Apr 26: B S Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janatha Paksha (KJP) will neither be able to form its own government nor garner enough votes to play the role of a kingmaker, Sushma Swaraj, senior BJP leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
Addressing media persons at a news conference in Mangalore on Friday, Ms. Swaraj said that KJP's role in the state Assembly elections is negligible and the fight will primarily be between BJP and Congress.
“Earlier people thought that KJP will damage BJP's chances. But now I am confident that KJP will neither be able to form its own government nor play a role in government formation. JD(S) has limited influence in different pockets of Karnataka. The fight is between BJP and Congress”, Ms. Swaraj said.
Admitting that she was “pained” by the dissidence in “the first BJP government in South India”, Ms. Swaraj said that the scene has completely changed this election.
“Now Congress is divided and the BJP is united. We have resolved the issue of leadership. Jagadish Shettar will be our chief minister. The state BJP unit has found a man of clean image like Prahlad Joshi as its president. There is smooth coordination between the organization and the government. On the other hand, there is ruckus in the Congress over the issue of leadership. There is anti-incumbency factor against Congress at the Centre. People are unhappy with the Congress led government over price rise, scandals, scams and infighting within the UPA and hence they will not vote for the Congress”, she said.
Ms. Swaraj rubbished rumours that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is not interested in campaigning for BJP in Karnataka as he does not fancy the party's chances in the state. “He is scheduled to visit Karnataka for campaigning and there is no truth in the word that he is keeping himself at bay as far as campaigning in Karnataka is concerned”, Ms. Swaraj clarified.
Got nothing to do with Reddys
Responding to a query on allegations leveled against her by senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary recently regarding her cordial relationship with the Reddy brothers of Bellary, Ms. Swaraj said that she no longer holds any connection with the Reddy family.
“I used to visit Bellary once in a year to take part in Varamahalaxmi Pooja and nothing else. This allegation that I have made merry with the money of the Reddys is absolutely baseless. I have got nothing to do with Reddys now”, Ms. Swaraj said.
JPC Chairman has no moral right to continue
Accusing the Congress of manipulating JPC report on 2G scam, Ms. Swaraj said that the report is not based on facts and parties including former alliances of the UPA have shown lack of confidence in the JPC.
“Congress has destroyed democratic institutions one by one. They criticized the CAG and now are manipulating the JPC. The JPC report is not being based on facts. A Raja has not been given an opportunity to express his views about the Prime Minister before the JPC. Yesterday, 15 members of JPC have expressed no-confidence before the Speaker. Barring Congress and NCP, all other parties, including former alliances of the UPA have expressed no-confidence. The JPC Chairman has no moral right to continue in office and must quit”, Ms. Swaraj said.
Only isolated incidents of moral policing
When asked about the frequent occurrence of attacks on young women and men by vigilante groups in BJP ruled Karnataka, Ms. Swaraj said that the BJP stands for protection of women and only isolated incidents of such attacks have taken place in the state.
Her party is firm in its demand for death penalty for rapists, she added. Rina Prakash, State President, BJP Mahila Morcha, Ganesh Karnik, MLC, were present.
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