JD(S) manifesto upholds ‘secular principles’

Bengaluru: In the ‘Peoples manifesto’ released by the JD(S) here on Monday, the party said that there was an urgent need to establish a government in the State which has “sound secular principles”. On one hand, the manifesto outlines the commitment of the party to protect the State’s land, border, water and language, while on the other, it also takes digs at the other parties in their shortcomings.

It says that the secular credentials in the State and in the country have to be re-established due to the propagation of Hindutva by a certain political party. Without naming the parties, the manifesto attacks both the BJP and the Congress.

While it accused the BJP of propagating the Hindutva majoritarian theory, it criticised the Congress for carrying out vote bank politics, with respect to the Ahinda (Dalits, OBCs and minorities). The Congress was attacked for neglecting other communities and also for dividing the Lingayats in granting it the religion status.

It said that the actions of both the parties had disrupted the plurality of the State and that the need of the hour was a government which was for the people. JD(S) National President H.D. Deve Gowda wrote in the foreword that the main aim of the party was to propagate the principles of secularism, equality and inclusiveness in the State. State President of the party H.D. Kumaraswamy emphasized on the development of the State, which would be the main priority.