BJP suffers setback in UK as Anand Asnutikar join JD(S)

Bengaluru, Jan 15: Bharatiya Janata Party suffered a setback in its stronghold Uttara Kannada in Karnataka as one of its senior leader and former Minister Anand Asnutikar joined the Janata Dal (Secular) here on Monday. 

Mr Asnutikar, a prominent leader, along with some of his followers, joined JD(S) in the presence of former Prime Minister and JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
Speaking to newsmen after welcoming the new entrant into the party fold, Mr Gowda said that his joining brought hopes of winning minimum four MLA seats in the election from the BJP stronghold district.
Mr Gowda, meanwhile, ruled out having an alliance with National political parties post 2018 election in Karnataka as JD(S) will come to power on its own and will not have understanding with either Congress or BJP.
The former Prime Minister maintained that his party was not a family party. 'JD-S is not party of father and son, such type may be applicable to Congress.'
Referring to Mahadayi issue, Mr Gowda said that he will raise the issue in Parliament when time comes. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi do not intervene immediately, the political scenario between the two states will worsen.
"Karnataka and Goa people live in close relationship. I met Prime Minister and discussed the issue earlier and once again I will try to meet Mr Modi and apprise him about the situation and stress the need for solving the issue urgently. Congress and BJP are politicising the issue which is needed for providing basic drinking water for the suffering people,' he said.
Mr Gowda said that he will not go to people seeking votes to his party candidates on Hindutva card but will seek blessings of voters in the name of Secularism.
Mr Kumaraswamy said that he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and apprised him in detail about the vexed Mahadayi issue and also have stressed the need for his intervention for solving the more than three decade old issue and solve the drinking water problem in parched four districts of North Karnataka. UNI