Dismissing speculation that the Janata Dal (S) would play the role of a king-maker during formation of the next government in Karnataka, state unit chief and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy expressed confidence that his party would be voted to power. Speaking at a “meet the press” programme organized here on Thursday, he said the birth of new regional parties would not dent the prospects of his party in the state. He said next year’s elections to the Legislative Assembly would not be fought on the basis of caste or money, but would witness a vote for change as people were fed up with both national parties, the Congress and BJP. The voters would look forward to development witnessed in states such as Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh which were ruled by regional outfits.
Mr Kumaraswamy also ruled out the prospect of his party joining hands with either the new party set to be launched by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa or BSR Congress led by former minister B Sreeramulu. Answering a question on resignations submitted by MP Cheluvarayaswamy and four legislators representing constituencies in Cauvery basin, he said party supremo H D Deve Gowda had advised his party colleagues to exercise restraint for now. Taking a dig at critics who portrayed his party as one opposed to development, Mr Kumaraswamy said the IT sector witnessed the first wave of investments when Mr Deve Gowda was the Chief Minister in 1996. Besides, it was his decision to use nine TMC Feet of water from the Cauvery for people of Bengaluru. Even the Metro rapid transportation project was launched by the JD(S)-BJP coalition led by himself, Mr Kumaraswamy added.