Hassan: JD(S) party will defeat both the national parties, Congress and BJP in the coming Assembly elections and form the state government and will prove that is the ‘A’ team, claimed Janata Dal (S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda.

He was addressing a gathering as part of ‘Vikasa Parva’ rally in Hassan on Monday. The former prime minister was responding to AICC president Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the JD (S) was the ‘B’ team of BJP and CM Siddaramaiah.

“Rahul Gandhi reads out the speech prepared by local leaders, condemning the JD(S). He has not given any assurance to coconut, arecaunut and potato growers of the district,” said Gowda.

“Siddaramaiah began his political journey from Janata Parivar and has become the chief minister. But, he is now trying to destroy the JD(S) party. The people will teach him an apt lesson in the election,” he added.

Former chief minister and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy said that the Congress and the BJP have been betraying the people of the state. He also assured that JD(S) will form the government on May 18, the birthday of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.