By BD Narayankar
Bengaluru, March 29 (UNI) Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Friday cautioned against underestimating Congress, noting its significant financial resources and influence, and said that challenging the grand old party would not be easy.
Gowda hinted that the Congress party's control over the state government enables it to access substantial funds, which can be used for electoral campaigns, party infrastructure, and other political activities.
Gowda also highlighted the Congress party's dominance over the administration in Karnataka, indicating that key positions and departments are under the party's influence, providing the Congress with leverage in governance and political maneuvering.
The former Prime Minister drew attention to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's influence and leadership within the state and at the national level bolsters the Congress party's organisational strength and electoral prospects.
He also underscored the Congress party's ability to mobilise resources effectively, citing the unprecedented number of MLAs holding cabinet positions in Karnataka's history, indicating the party's extensive network and influence, which can be leveraged for electoral campaigns and organisational activities.
"The current Congress government in Karnataka, money reserve is one of the major areas for them. Can you challenge them? The entire Bengaluru and every department are in the hands of one leader. It is not easy to challenge the Congress party's resources. Not so simple," he said at the BJP-JDS Coordination Meeting here.
Gowda added: "Today this so-called Congress is only in four states and the money has to be supplied from Karnataka. The AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is from Karnataka. Please understand. It is not so easy to gain victory in the election."
He also pointed out the extensive resource mobilisation by the Congress, especially in Mandya, where his son, HD Kumaraswamy, is contesting.
Acknowledging the BJP leadership, Deve Gowda stated that, in his opinion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are the only leaders capable of solving national-level problems effectively.
Calling for cooperation, he emphasised the importance of cooperation between the JDS and BJP in Karnataka to secure victory in all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state. He urged both parties to set aside past differences and work together.
On former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's role, Gowda highlighted his crucial role in this endeavor of winning all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state and urged him to overlook past grievances for the sake of the alliance.
Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's criticism, Gowda asserted that he had the strength to demonstrate the JDS party's influence in the state.
Yediyurappa criticised the Congress government for allegedly halting development works and losing the trust of the people.
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