It will be a ‘dark’ Diwali in Karnataka, says Gowda

The Hindu

Bangalore, 26 October 2010: The Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, on Monday sought the immediate dismissal of the BJP government in Karnataka for ‘trying to woo’ Congress and JD (S) MLAs through money and muscle power.

 

Karnataka would have the “darkest Diwali” this time not only due to the deteriorating law and order problem and political instability but also because of a bad name brought to it by the BJP, which had touched the nadir in political corruption, he said.

 

Mr. Gowda told journalists that secular parties, including the Congress, should unitedly fight the BJP’s “operation lotus,” which was aimed at luring MLAs from secular parties using money power.

 

 

 

Mining scam

 

On the mining scam allegedly indulged in by BJP Ministers, he said this was another reason why Karnataka’s Diwali would be one of the darkest ever. The government had done nothing to curb corruption in this area.

 

“No rule of law”

 

There was no rule of law in Karnataka. The Yeddyurappa government was using all ‘illegal ways, including money, muscle and mining power’ to demolish the Opposition parties and retain power. “I demand the dismissal of the Karnataka government instead of allowing the secular parties to sink,” he said.