Bengaluru, Apr 7 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday predicted a two-thirds majority for Congress-led UDF in the upcoming Kerala assembly polls, while accusing the ruling LDF of having an “internal understanding” with the BJP.
He also claimed that the people there are fed up with the Left government in Kerala.
“Some of our Ministers, legislators and I have campaigned in Kerala. There is confidence that we (UDF) will secure a two-third majority there. People are fed up with 10 years of LDF rule as there has not been any progress and the state has also suffered financially,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters on returning from Kerala, he claimed that the LDF has an “internal understanding” with the BJP.
Noting that international travel constraints prevent voters abroad from coming to vote, Shivakumar said, “As surveys have shown that they (Keralites staying abroad) will vote for the UDF, no special flight arrangements have been made for them to participate in voting.” Despite these challenges, Congress and the UDF are working together and will win, he said, adding that he participated in 14 campaign events in Kerala.
Single-phase elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly to be held on April 9.
Exuding confidence that Congress will win in the bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, the Deputy CM said, he has campaigned in both Bagalkot and Davanagere South, and people are happy with the government’s programmes.
“There is no relief from the Centre, also there is a price rise. But our government’s five guarantee schemes have given relief to the people,” he said.
Bypolls for the Bagalkot and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies will be held on April 9. The polls were necessitated following the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, respectively.
To a question on the auto and commercial LPG shortage issue, Shivakumar urged Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who is from the state, to help Karnataka.
“Two vessels containing gas came to India (from West Asia); why did they go directly to Gujarat? Why not our Mangaluru or Kerala or Chennai ports — for South India? They (BJP-led government centre) are looking at only North India, forgetting South. As they (BJP) don’t have a base in South India, they are playing politics,” he alleged. PTI KSU ROH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.