Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 23 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Tuesday that the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) will not win any seats in Karnataka in the 2024 general elections. Shivakumar also hit out at JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda for his claims that the Congress had humiliated him in the past.
Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, DK Shivakumar said, "I don't know why Deve Gowda is shedding tears. The Congress party made him the Prime Minister. No matter what he does, JD(S) will not win any seats in Karnataka. Congress will win all those seats."
He further stressed that the centre should provide the drought relief fund soon after the verdict of the Supreme Court.
"The Supreme Court has given us justice, and the Centre has agreed to provide drought relief. The BJP has launched an advertising campaign claiming that Congress was picking pockets of people in drought relief. But it is the BJP which is picking the pockets of the people and blaming it on Congress. We have reduced electricity charges and provided up to 200 units of electricity for free; the BJP is unable to digest this," Shivakumar further said.
After BJP leaders launched campaigning in Bengaluru Rural, Shivakumar said that people know what Congress has delivered.
"They are free to campaign anywhere they want. We are not novices in politics; we have been working in the constituency from day one. People know what we have delivered," he said.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Party President Tholkappiyan Thirumavalavan today called on the Deputy Chief Minister and extended his party's support to Congress candidates in Karnataka.
"VCK Party President and INDI alliance partner today paid a visit and expressed his strong support for Congress candidates in Karnataka. Three candidates from his party had filed their nominations from Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, and Bengaluru Rural. They have retired from the fray and are supporting the Congress candidates. They will also campaign for DK Suresh in Bengaluru Rural," Shivakumar said.
Earlier, while discussing Deve Gowda's political journey, his son and JDS-BJP candidate, HD Kumaraswamy said, "In 2018, Deve Gowda ji joined hands with Congress. Throughout his career of 60-62 years, he has always aligned with secular forces. By using regional parties, Congress has destroyed several regional parties. Congress has humiliated Deve Gowda ji in several ways."
The Lok Sabha elections for 28 seats in Karnataka are scheduled to take place over two phases, with polling slated for April 26 and May 7. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.
In 2019, the BJP won 25 out of the 28 seats, while the Congress party was only able to win one seat.