B. ARAVINDA SHETTY 

Belagavi: Opposition Leader Siddaramaiah termed that Janata Dal (Secular) is no longer a threat to the Congress in the old Mysuru region. 

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, the just concluded Legislative Council elections results proved that JD(S) has no longer a threat to Congress in the old Myusu region. 

Earlier JD(S) had four seats in the Council, now its strength has been reduced to two seats in its bastion old Mysuru area, results indicating that party has been losing grounds in the state, Mr. Siddaramaiah added. 

Refuting the charges of the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of Congress joining hands with the BJP in the Council polls, Mr. Siddaramaiah further said that he would not react to baseless charges of the former chief minister. 

Unity of leaders gives results in Council polls: 

Endorsing the statement of the KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar, who said that united effort and collective leadership of the party was the key factor to win 11 seats in the Council, Mr. Siddaramaiah too said that collective leadership and coordination among the leaders has helped the party to cross double-digit seats in the Council. 

"We expected to win 14 to 15 seats, but we were defeated by a narrow margin in Madikeri and Chikamagaluru", the Opposition leader said. 

The opposition leader said that the party would take forward its fight against the ruling BJP on charges of 40 per cent commission in awarding tenders in the coming days. 

"We will move an adjournment notice under rule 60, but I don't think the government would allow for discussion. Government dont want to discuss corruption related issues in the House", Mr. Siddaramaiah remarked. 

Siddaramaiah has rejected the rumour about Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar has approached his PA for negotiating on behalf of Urban Development minister, Byarati Basavaraj who was involved in a land scam case. It was alleged that Mr. Sudhakar has approached the Personal Assistant of Mr. Siddaramaiah, reportedly requested said that Mr. Byrati is wanted to meet Siddaramaiah in this regard. However, Mr. Siddaramaiah rejected such talks and categorically said that he has never spoken with either Sudhakar or Byrathi Basavaraj.