From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, June 29: JD(S) has decided to extend support to BJP nominee Droupadi Murmu in the ensuing presidential polls.

Speaking to media persons at the JD(S) office in Bengaluru on Wednesday, he said DroupadiMurmu is already assured of the required support. ``However, she has sought our support and we have decided to vote for her’’ he said.

Kumaraswamy said Murmu had already called JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda twice even though she has virtually won having secured the necessary support. ``Murmu had sought an appointment to visit Deve Gowda in Bengaluru to seek his support. But we have assured her that there is no need for her visit to seek JD(S) support,’’ he said.

The former chief minister said the JD(S) is aware of the difficulties and ordeal that Mumu has undergone to come up in life. A tribal woman leader’s rise and achievements are admirable, he said.

He also made it clear that there is no need attribute JD(S) support to Murmu to criticize the party as BJP’s B Team. The question of Congress vs BJP does not arise, he said.

The JD(S) leader criticized the Basavaraj Bommai government for hiking the power tariff. ``The ruling party increases power tariff and gives power shock. It reduces ahead of the polls. It is the strategy of the two national parties of BJP and Congress to fool the people,’’ he said.

HDK Condemns Rajasthan Murder

The former Chief Minister strongly condemned the beheading of a tailor in Rajasthan and demanded that the culprits must be dealt with mercilessly. This is a most inhuman and barbaric incident, he said demanding a separate cell for investigating the hate murders across the country.

He said the JD(S) will launch its Janata Mitra campaign all over the city for 17 days from July 1 to 17 as preparations for the ensuing BBMP polls. As many as 15 LED vehicles will be touring the entire city, he said urging the party workers to ensure the success of Janata Mitra campaign like the Jaladhare mission.

Kumaraswamy said he party will also focus on the next year’s assembly polls and seek the people’s support for a clear mandate to JD(S).