Karwar politics at work? Karnataka Minister Deshpande slams Alva

Bengaluru: Large and medium scale Industries Minister R.V. Deshpande has refuted the charge that he was responsible for the defeat of former Rajasthan governor and Congress leader Margaret Alva's son in the 2008 poll from the  Uttara Kannada seat.

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Deshpande said, "Whom should I blame when my son Prasanth Deshpande was defeated in the Lok Sabha elections? Margaret Alva has tasted defeat in several elections, however when I joined the Congress party, she won the elections, that was her first win in the elections. Winning and losing elections are part of democracy. I will not blame Margaret Alva for the defeat of my son in the elections, but I can say that it is inappropriate on her part to blame the Congress high command after enjoying all positions".

Ms Alva, in her book ‘Courage And Commitment’  which was released in Bengaluru on Tuesday has named Mr Deshpande as the person responsible for her defeat too in the Lok Sabha elections from the then Canara Lok Sabha constituency.

Mr Deshpande responded saying, "I lost elections several times, but I did not blame anyone. After joining the Congress I lost elections once in the Haliyal Assembly seat. Mrs Alva should pose the question to her conscience before blaming others. She is like my elder sister, the Congress party has given her positions, but she has blamed party leaders, this is very unfortunate', Mr. Deshpande added.