No secret pact with Congress in bypolls: Ex-chief minister Kumaraswamy

Former Karnataka chief minister and JD-S senior leader HD Kumaraswamy has refuted the BJP's claim of a secret pact between his party and the Congress.

Addressing a JD(S) rally in Hunsur on Monday evening, Kumaraswamy said the party had its own strength and did not have a 'secret understanding' with anybody. He also lashed out at the BJP candidate AH Vishwanath for telling people that he would become a Minister if re-elected.

''How will he become a Minister when the Yediyurappa government itself will collapse after December 9,'' he wondered.

The people of Karnataka will teach a fitting lesson to those who engineered defection. The lesson will stop the people from thinking about defection, he added.

Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of engaging in wrongdoings to lure voters.

Recalling the contributions of his father and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, the former CM described  him as 'unprejudiced'.

Promising the people to address their grievances, he said, ''Henceforth, I will personally look into the problems faced by the public of Hunsur.''

Karnataka bypolls will take place on December 5 for 15 of the 17 seats, which also includes seats left vacant by ex-Congress and JDS MLAs whose resignations led to the collapse of the  Congress-JDS coalition government.

Now, both the parties are contesting the bypolls separately.

A total of 165 candidates, including 126 independents, are likely to contest the bypolls, result of which will be declared on December 9.