Mysuru: In a major setback to the JD(S), seven rebel MLAs joined the Congress on Sunday, March 25 in the presence of the AICC President Rahul Gandhi on his recent visit to the district.

Responding to this, Abdul Azeez (Abdullah), a JD(S) candidate from the NR constituency said, “The seven rebel MLAs including two belonging to the minority community-Zameer Ahmed and Iqbal Ansari, who resigned from the Janata Dal (Secular) and joined the Congress in the presence of Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi on Sunday will not have any impact on the JD(S)”.

“Just because the MLAs resign and join another party it doesn’t mean that all their followers too will go with them. Their absence will not be felt in the party, especially in Mysuru. The minorities, including the Muslims, are well cared for in the JD(S) party, which is why I have joined the party. The allegations made by the rebel MLAs are far from true. In the forthcoming elections, the people will give them a fitting reply,” he said adding that those who left did not accept the leadership of Kumarswamy.

Speaking about the work he wanted to do once elected, he said, “A lot of work needs to be done. If I come to power, I will focus on drainage, drinking water, creating jobs and uplifting of the people in the constituency. I am not new to this constituency. I had contested in the year 1994 in the assembly elections against former MLA and Minister Azeez Sait but, I was unsuccessfully. I did however, managed to get more than 7000 votes. The people of this constituency want change and are happy with the social work that I have been doing for the past couple of decades.

HD Kumarswamy will be taking part in the Kumaraparva Rally in Mysuru at the Al Badar Masjid in Rajeevnagar on March 27.