Knocked out BJP in semis before 2018: Dr G Parameshwar

Bengaluru: Having lost the bypolls , the BJP found itself the butt of Congress barbs on Thursday. Mocking it for its claims of creating a   'Congress- mukth Karnataka,' Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief and Home Minister, Dr G Parameshwar observed  that   the people of both Nanjangud and Gundlupet had instead knocked it out in the “ semi-finals” to the coming assembly poll.

Recalling that  state BJP chief, B S Yeddyurappa had himself called the bypolls semi-finals of the 2018 elections, he said  the BJP's mission of winning 150 seats in 2018 had been punctured by the voters. “They have removed '50' and left it with only,”  he mocked.

Also, calling former minister, V Srinivasaprasad, who quit the Congress to contest from Nanjangud on a BJP ticket, a “big liar” for claiming  that it  had spent Rs 100 crore to buy votes in the constituency, Dr Parameshwar pointed out that the Election Commission of India had deputed four observers for the byelections.  “They would have definitely booked the Congress had it spent so much money to woo voters and the EC would have countermanded the bypolls. We need a certificate from the Election Commission and not from either Mr Srinivasaprasad or Mr Yeddyurappa," he asserted.

The KPCC chief, who was speaking to reporters here, said although  BJP leaders believed the  party was on a winning wicket since its performance in the Uttar Pradesh and other state elections, they were  eliminated from the competition.  

“The BJP's gameplan of seeking votes in the name of Prime Minister Modi has been rejected by the people. The bypoll results have proved that the Modi factor will not work in the state,” he declared.

Remaining firm on his statement that the bypolls were not a referendum on the Congress government , he, however, said the victory had added to its responsibilities as it now had to live up to the people’s expectations.

"Our programmes are not aimed at dividing people as we believe in inclusive growth and justice. This has been appreciated by the people and they voted for us. On the other hand, the saffron party leaders played caste politics, which did not work in both the constituencies. We have never neglected any community. The by- poll results have  proved again that it is not possible for the BJP to make a 'Congress mukth Karnataka'”  he said.

The PCC president also thanked JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda and its state chief, H D Kumaraswamy for not fielding candidates in both constituencies and for allowing their partymen to work  for the victory of the Congress candidates, but ruled out any alliance with the party in 2018 .