JD(S) counters Suresh Devegowda ambulance remark

NT Correspondent Ramanagara: JD(S) on Monday came down hard on former Congress MP DK Suresh’s comments about the regional outfit’s patriarch HD Devegowda. A day prior, Suresh mocked Devegowda’s old age, imagining the 92-yearold making his way to campaign for Nikhil in an ambulance. He made the comments while canvassing for the upcoming November 13 by-poll in Kodambahalli village of Channapatna taluk. Congressman CP Yogeshwar is taking on JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, Devegowda’s grandson, in the by-election. “I heard something new recently. Someone said Devegowda will arrive to participate in the election (campaign) in an ambulance. Let him come. Let his health be good. He should make his grandson win. He didn’t come to you when you were in distress but he’s coming to his grandson’s coronation,” Suresh said.

Union Minister and Devegowda’s son HD Kumaraswamy said that the comments were in poor taste. “It was (Congress MLA) Ashwath who said Devegowda would come down in an ambulance to campaign. DK Suresh is simply repeating the same thing. He’s speaking so lightly about Devegowda’s health. The same Ashwath benefitted from Devegowda’s campaign which covered several villages. Today, you say Devegowda is coming to his grandson’s coronation. He did the same for Ashwath. Time will answer such petty politics,” Kumaraswamy said. Nikhil also hit back at Suresh. “I have noted the statements made by Congress leaders. Political discussions are common but the suggestion that HD Devegowda ji will arrive in an ambulance for my coronation is inappropriate. We have not faced such misfortune,” Nikhil said. “After Diwali, he will come and join our campaign,” he said, adding that blessings of the people had lent strength to Devegowda.