Hegde blames BJP for JDU8217;s poor performance in Karnataka

quot;While I personally campaigned for the BJP candidates in quite a few seats their leaders did not campaign for us even in a single seat,quot; Hegde said, accusing the BJP of reneging on the agreement between the two parties on the number of seats that they contested. In fact, he said that the two parties fought against each other in 25 to 30 Assembly seats.

quot;This created confusion among our workers and disgust among the voters,quot; he said.

In thesame breath, Hegde also reasoned that the delay in the reunification of the Janata parivar had its adverse impact on the performance of the alliance. He recalled that more than a year back he had asked Patel to come out of the erstwhile Janata Dal. quot;But he did not take me seriously. On the other hand, he mocked me. And till the last day he went on abusing the BJP and so also the BJP,quot; he remarked.

Asked about the future of the JDU-BJP alliance, he said that ultimately the NDA was an alliance which was relevant as much as in Karnataka as in other States. quot;This setback should not affect us,quot; he added.

The JDU leader felt that the formal entry of the JDU into the NDA should not pose a problem. He also reiterated that he did not regret the alliance between the two parties. quot;It was necessary at that point of time,quot; he added.

Though Hegde may say that there is no danger to the alliance, things do not look rosy for the relationship between the two parties. The mutual mud-slinging has already begun withthe BJP leaders reciprocating Hegde8217;s sentiments in equal measure.