ALAPPUZHA: The emergence of Alappuzha MP K C Venugopal as a strong South Indian Congress leader was underscored during the recent Karnataka Assembly election where his political maneuvering helped keep the BJP away from power and installed the Congress-backed government.
The special bond he shares with Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, the direct beneficiary of Venugopal’s move which saw the Congress offering CM’s post to JD(S), was evident when the latter attended the ‘Ponthooval’ merit award distribution ceremony here on Saturday.
“We have been keeping a good relationship for the past many years and the bond amplified following the state election. He (Kumaraswamy) joined hands with the Congress to form a secular government in the country,” Venugopal said about his friendship.
Venugopal is also a member of the five-member coordination committee of Karnataka and this has strengthened their bond. Venugopal was the AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka when the Congress struck up a post-election alliance to keep the BJP away from power.
Kumaraswamy inaugurated the merit award distribution function, while Venugopal presided over. MPs Shatrughan Sinha, Sasi Tharoor music director M Jayachandran, director Fazil, poet Murukan Kattakkada, lyricist Rajiv Alunkal and additional chief secretary Rajeev Sadanandan attend the function. The awards were distributed to 1,452 students who secured high scores in SSLC and Plus 2 examinations and to 124 schools which scored 100 per cent pass percentage.
Attending a party meet in Kochi on Saturday, Kumaraswamy urged its party leaders to get at least two seats in Kerala. Kumaraswamy was in Kochi to attend a function organised by JD(S) to felicitate him. “You have to fight hard and get at least two seats in future Parliament seats. I want your help for the success in the Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
Kumaraswamy said Kerala is an important state for JD(S). “When our party divided at the national level, only Kerala and Karnataka units stood together and worked to strengthen the party. After every election we are strengthening the party presence in Kerala,” he said.
Kumaraswamy promised to help sort out any issues pertaining to Kerala. According to him, more than 10,000 families from Kerala live in Karnataka. Kumaraswamy said he became the Chief Minister of Karnataka due to the blessing of Lord Ayyappa. “In 2005 after visiting Sabarimala, I become Chief Minister. Now the second time it has happened. With blessings of Swamy Ayyappa, I have become the Chief Minister, even without sufficient numbers,” he said.
CMs to discuss Bandipur
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said a solution would be found related to traffic through Bandipur. Kumaraswamy said Pinarayi Vijayan had discussed the Bandipur road issue with him. “Within a week or 10 days, we will sit together and try to solve the issue,” he said.
Traffic between 9 pm and 6 am through the Bandipur road has been banned for the past several years to prevent wildlife deaths. The traffic ban, imposed following a directive by Chamarajanagar district administration, was upheld by the Karnataka High Court. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court. The apex court has constituted a panel to study the matter and file report.