Bangalore: A Muslim Convention organized by the Janata Dal(S) at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore on Sunday, seemed to be a hint that the JD(S) was gearing itself up for the impending elections and was all set to appease the minorities, well before any other party did so.

Interestingly, the JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda attended the convention in a wheel chair. The senior leader was ailing since some time.

The convention seemed to be organized at the right time wherein the father and son duo explained to the minority community the reasons that led to the party forging into an alliance with the BJP to form the government a few years ago, something which the Muslims were certainly not happy about.

Gowda speaking on the occasion said the party strictly adhered to secular principles and never went in for opportunistic politics. He also chose to explain his achievements as CM. He also called upon the Muslim fraternity to join hands with the party to build a strong Karnataka.

Former CM HD Kumaraswamy in his address, while citing  a newspaper report which mentioned that it would be difficult for the JD(S) to garner support of the Muslims this time, said he would take it up as a challenge.

MLA Zameer Khan and others spoke on the occasion.