Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified that the Congress has not faced any embarrassment on Thursday as the no-confidence motion passed against D.H. Shankarmurthy in the Legislative Council was defeated with the Janata Dal (Secular) supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Speaking to presspersons after attending a mass marriage ceremony here on Friday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that he and KPPC president G. Parameshwara had discussed the issue with JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda well in advance. “The JD(S) extended its support to BJP. We used to think of the JD(S) as a secular party, but it has shown its true colours by joining hands with a communal party,” he added.
No clarification sought
All-India Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi or any other senior leader from the party high command has not sought any clarification in this regard.
On BJP State president B.S Yeddyurappa’s visits to the houses of Dalits and having breakfast, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the families’ conditions will not improve simply by the leader having breakfast with or visiting them. “Only inter-caste marriages can bring equality in society and efforts in this regard were started way back in the 12th Century by Basavanna. The Congress is following the same principles,” he added.
Loan waiver
The CM also said that the issue of loan waivers of farmers in the State was not discussed with Mr. Gandhi during his recent visit.