We will get ‘conscience votes’ from other parties: DCM D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Feb 15: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today said that Congress party will get ‘conscience votes’ from JDS and BJP for its candidates in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, he said, “We too have friends across parties. Our candidates will also get conscience votes in Rajya Sabha elections.” He was responding to reporters who asked if there would be cross voting in the Rajya Sabha election as JDS candidate Kuppendra Reddy, who has friends across parties, has entered the fray.

“JDS has joined hands with the BJP. We too have friends across parties and we will get conscience votes from them. BJP and JDS always indulge in horse trading and they are known for that. The JDS thinks that BJP will support them, but wait and watch till Feb 27 and you will know how many votes they get from the BJP,” he said. Asked how many conscience votes Congress candidates may get from other parties, he said he would comment on that after the polls.

Our candidates will raise voice for Karnataka
Asked about the candidates announced for the Rajya Sabha, he said, “The people of the state have supported the Congress party led by Mallikarjuna Kharge. We are confident that our candidates will raise voice for the state in the Upper House.”

Replying to questions on fielding Ajay Maken from Karnataka, he said, “Ask the JDS and BJP who had fielded outsiders in the past. Ajay Maken’s family has sacrificed a lot for the unity, peace and integrity of the country. He has worked to build the party from his student days and we are happy to elect him from here.”

Asked about Supreme Court’s ruling on Electoral bonds, he said, “This is a historic judgment. I congratulate them for their courage. Judgments like this are needed to save democracy in the country.”

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