Bangalore, Jul 15 (TOI): On Sunday, the Gowdas confessed, reassured and took a vow, all this to woo the Muslims.
The Muslim Convention organized at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore turned out to be a perfect setting for the JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and his son H D Kumaraswamy to explain and seek the support of the Muslims, who were upset with the party for aligning with the BJP in 2006.
With the portrait of Tipu Sultan in the backdrop, Kumaraswamy explained how Congress was 'responsible' for the inevitable alliance and assured that he wouldn't repeat that mistake never again. While Gowda narrated the contribution of the Janata Parivar in general and JD(S) in particular to the welfare of the community. MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan explained why JD(S) is the only option for the Muslims.
The party's nomination of Syed Mudeer Agha to the legislative council was repeatedly told to drive home a point how secular the JD(S) is. Congressman Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi's defeat due to cross voting was stressed to send a message about the Congress's attitude.
'Sabko Sanmati De':
Gowda said: We are not born to rule. It is not the birthright of our family to rule. It's the birthright of the family to take a firm stand on the secular credentials. Our family has never done opportunistic politics. Power is not important for us. We will never compromise for the sake of power. Ideology is important. We are for uniting the society and not dividing. I don't want anything, but want the secular credentials to continue in the country. Sabko Sanmati De Bhagawan.''
He elaborated on how he provided 4% reservation to the minorities when he was the CM in 1995. On the occasion, he chose to remind the Lingayats, majority of whom are supporting the BJP that it was him who gave 5% reservation to the Lingayats. Lingayats should understand this,'' he said.
We do not go back on our words. We had promised to make a Muslim an MLC and we have kept our word. Forget the small mistakes. Come along to build a new Karnataka,'' he concluded.
"Will garner Muslim support''
Kumaraswamy, who began his speech in Hindi and continued in Kannada, urged the Muslims to introspect. He said the other political parties were carrying out a misinformation campaign against the Muslims for political gains. He said: Muslims have contributed immensely. But, some parties are involved in dividing the society by projecting the community as a promoter of terrorism. There is a systematic conspiracy to malign the community and show it in the negative light.''
Offering the reason for forming a government with the BJP, he said: Congress tried to split our party. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the JD(S) had to align with the BJP. But, during my tenure as the CM, I didn't allow anybody to hurt the Muslims. I never compromised with the BJP.'' He cited former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati, who had aligned with the BJP in the past. Though they aligned with the BJP, they didn't cheat the Muslims,'' he said.
Referring to an opinion piece in a Kannada daily, which opined that it would be difficult for the JD(S) to garner Muslim votes, Kumaraswamy said: I will take it as a challenge. I'll get the Muslim support.''
MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan said it was the duty of the Muslims to vote for the JD(S). Congress uses us, but never respects us. As eyewash, they fielded Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi, but ensured his defeat. Most of the Muslim leaders have emerged from the Janata Parivar and not in the Congress. JD(S) is the only party, which fulfills the aspirations of the community.''
It is a known fact that Muslims, who form more than 12% of the state's population, have never been able to get proportionate representation either in the assembly or in council in the post-independent history of the state. To be properly represented (if population is considered), Muslims candidates should win about 26 seats. But, at no time did the state assembly have so many MLAs. The maximum was in 1978 at 18 MLAs. Presently, in the 224 strong assembly, there are only nine Muslims, while in the council, it is only four.
Muslims are more in number in Dakshina Kannada, Bidar, Gulbarga, Dharwad, Kodagu, Haveri, Bijapur, Raichur, Ramanagaram and Bangalore rural districts. In the next assembly polls, the JD(S) has planned to field more candidates from the community in these places.