Bengaluru: Union Minister and JDS State President H.D. Kumaraswamy announced that the party has decided to elect its new state president through polls by April this year.
Speaking at a meeting in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy clarified that discussions on who will be chosen for the position were not held during the meeting.
He added, “Important decisions were made during the meeting regarding the party’s organizational elections, membership drives, preparations for district and taluk panchayat elections, and strengthening the party structure.”
The Minister addressed the media after the meeting and stated, “The decision has been taken to elect the state unit president through an election by April. I have been firm with our leaders about the need to focus on strengthening the party. Priority will be given to those who work sincerely for the party’s development. I, too, will regularly involve myself in organizational activities.”
Addressing Leadership Vacuum Allegations
Responding to claims that his role as a Union Minister has created a leadership vacuum in the state, Kumaraswamy said, “I spend four days a week working at the ministry in New Delhi, one or two days visiting factories under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Steel, and devote the remaining time to party work. I have scheduled visits for organizational activities, meetings, tours, and work in the Mandya constituency. Moving forward, I will continue to work according to this plan.”
He further emphasized the importance of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and said, “There is a belief that PSUs are unprofitable, but under Narendra Modi avaru’s leadership, we have proven that these undertakings can turn profitable. I will ensure that this success is demonstrated further.”
HDK’s Retort to M.B. Patil:
Kumaraswamy fired back at Congress leader M.B. Patil, who had claimed that JDS MLAs were being poached and that the party would cease to exist after Sankranti. “Mr. Patil, first look at the state of your own party. In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party is contesting elections independently, sidelining Congress. Omar Abdullah has asked for the INDIA alliance to be dissolved. In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena has announced they will face local body elections independently. Where is Congress in all of this?”
He continued, “Your own party is in disarray. Mr. Patil, you should focus on fixing the cracks within your own party instead of making baseless statements about JDS. Our party is resilient. Defeat and victory are not new to us. We did not shrink in defeat, nor do we boast in victory. Congress cannot tolerate our strength, which is why they resort to such drama. Let me make it clear – their plans will not work.”
Criticism of CM Siddaramaiah Over AHINDA:
Kumaraswamy criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, questioning his contributions to AHINDA (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) communities. “How many years has the Kantaraj Report been with the government? What solutions have they provided for the issues faced by these communities? Siddaramaiah served as CM for seven years. What has he done for AHINDA groups? Beyond political rhetoric, he has failed to deliver meaningful results for them,” he said.
He added, “Rahul Gandhi talks about conducting caste-based census wherever he goes. The central government has already made a decision on this matter. The state government should wait for the central report. The existing state-level caste census report is flawed, having exceeded ten years since its completion. If the state wants a new report, let them conduct one and bear the costs. But they should stop looting people’s money.”
Taking a dig at the Chief Minister, he remarked, “Some people are sitting idle, waiting for funds from the central government like beggars. Let them form another committee with such people and conduct a new census.”
