Prime Minister asks Congress to prepare for polls in Karnataka

In view of the uncertainty over the transfer of power from the JD (S) to BJP in Karnataka, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called upon the Congress leaders to prepare for polls and come to power in the State.

Soon after arriving in Bangalore on a brief yesterday, Singh drove to the Central College campus to address Congress party leaders and workers. “The ruling formation is not in a good shape. I do not know what will happen in Karnataka. Congress workers should remain united and bring the party to power on its own”, he said.

Singh said the time had come for “winds of change” in the State and hoped the Congress will be ushered into power in the elections. As October 3, the date for transfer of power from JD (S) to BJP draws nearer, the “winds of change will move at a much faster rate”, he said.

The Prime Minister has also assured the Congress leaders in the State that the party leadership was not in favour of reviving ties with the JD (S) to form another coalition in the event of collapse of the JD (S)-BJP Government.

But, Singh emphasized the need to keep BJP away from power stating that communalization of politics does not portend well for the people of Karnataka.

He recalled that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime was marked by instances of communal disharmony and divisive politics. In contrast, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is seeking to strengthen the secular base, besides being committed to respect fundamental human rights and rule of law.

Claiming that India had emerged as one of the five fastest developing economies in the world during the UPA regime, Singh said the growth rate of the country was nine per cent per year, which was the highest since independence.

He had a word of praise for Karnataka, which he described as a “jewel” of the country. “In fact, Karnataka was a mirror image of research and development in the country”, the Prime Minister said.

“We want Karnataka to be the number one forward looking state”, he said assured that the Federal Government will work shoulder to shoulder to safeguard the interests of the State.