Mangaluru: Janatha Dal (Secular) supremo HD Devegowda, on Monday, January 22, announced that the JD(S) will contest from all 224 seats in Karnataka in the forth coming polls.

Devegowda was addressing a press meet at Circuit House where he expressed that the JD(S), continuing its friendship with the Communist Party of India, has decided to ally with them in the up coming assembly elections in the state. “In this regard the JD(S) will hold a discussion with communist party leaders,” he said.

He also informed that the JD(S) will hold a party convention in the Dakshina Kannada district in the second week of February.

“Though our party was not so strong in the North Karnataka, Mangaluru and Udupi districts, we were making efforts to strengthen the party. But, since four months, this has not happened due to the communal tension in this region,” Devegowda opined.

Answering the media’s queries regarding the JD(S) holding a coalition if the party doesn’t meet the majority, Devegowda said, “I want to build the party with our own principles and policies. Kumaraswamy regretted the coalition government with the BJP. I have never committed such mistakes in my life. “

He also said that when Atal Bihari Vajpayee approached him to form a coalition government in the center, he respectfully refused the offer.

He also ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition government with the Congress as well.

On the Kaveri and Mahadayi water dispute he said, “I have met the Prime Minster personally but, he is clever and chooses to remain silent. What can I do? He doesn’t speak on such issues.”

He added that if the JD(S) comes to power, untoward incidents due to communal tensions will be prevented.

JD(S) District President Mohammed Kunhi. JD(S) leaders, BM Farook and MB Sadhashiva, Corporator Aziz Kudroli, Corporator Rameeza Naseer, Ashwin J Periera, Akshith Suvarana and others were present in the press meet.