Congress general secretary and in-charge of Karnataka, Digvijay Singh said that the Congress will not support any group to form Government in the post-poll scenario.
Addressing the media in Bangalore on Wednesday after attending a co-ordination committee of the State Congress, the senior Congress leader ruled out any support to groups to form the Government and said it has to be only a Congress-led Government. Pointing out at the results of exit polls predicting NDA’s victory, he said his party could not be written off and it would fight for “politics of secularism” whether it forms the Government or sits in the Opposition.
In his usual rhetoric, he came down on the BJP its PM candidate Narendra Modi and dismissed exit poll results by saying it was only an illusion. He said exit polls have failed in both 2004 and 2009 and made it clear that the Congress will not support any group in its effort to form the Government.
He said, “We cannot hand over this country to the people who are in the habit of disturbing communal harmony and demolishing the secular fabric of the nation. Congress will continue its fight against the divisive forces both inside and outside Parliament.”“Congress shall continue its fight for inclusive politics and to maintain the socialistic and secular character of the country,” he added. The Congress leader felt the experiment of a third front had failed in the past and said his party will not support any other formation.
“Politics is an art of possibilities. It would be the Congress-led alliance, which can be a credible alternative at the Centre. The 16th lok Sabha, which was concluded recently, is fought between two ideologies, one led by extreme right and religious fundamental force of the BJP, and the socialistic, secular character of the Congress,” he said. “Congress, whether remaining in power or not, never deviated from its ideologies,” he added.
Asked if his party had accepted defeat, he said, “... democracy means change. We have fought this election to form the Government. If we get an opportunity we will form the Government.” Responding to a question whether the election results will be a reflection on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, Singh said, “As far as Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is concerned, the Congress has got the greatest regard, respect and confidence in his leadership.” On Congress’ performance in Seemandhra and Telangana, Singh said, “We hope to form the Government in Telangana, but we are not too hopeful in Seemandhra.”
On Narendra Modi’s campaign, he said the amount spent on it was “mind boggling” and his assessment was that it should be anywhere around Rs 5,000 crore. “... this kind of money we have never seen in Indian Politics and obviously he has the support of the corporates…,” the Congress leader said. Asked why the Prime Minister was kept out of campaign, Digvijay said, “Manmohan Singhji is not a mass leader; he is a professional, an economist. He did campaign in Telangana, in UP, Maharashtra, Assam...”
Calling BJP leader Giriraj Singh’s statement that all terrorists belonged to a ‘particular community’ as “absolutely rubbish”, Digvijay said, “I know six terror cases ... in which Sangh activists have been charged in bomb blasts.” Complimenting the outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for having leading the country for ten years, he said, “his (Manmohan Singh’s) integrity is beyond doubt”.
The co-ordination committee of the Karnataka pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) met in Bangalore to take stock of the performance of the party’s one-year-old Government. It also discussed other issues including the appointment of party workers to various boards and corporations. According to Congress source, Singh was upset with the working of some Ministers close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and warned them of stern action if they don’t improve their performance.
The committee chaired by Singh, also examined reports from the districts as well as taluk units on the party’s performance in the lok Sabha election. Siddaramaiah has indicated that he would expand his Cabinet after the results. However, maintaining a brave front, the Karnataka CM dismissed the results of exit polls as far from reality and exuded confidence that the Congress will win about 15 to 20 seats in State.