Janata Dal (S) State unit president H.D. Kumaraswamy here on Sunday accused Siddaramaiah of being the most casteist Chief Minister Karnataka has seen.
He was responding to Mr. Siddaramaiah’s reported comment that the JD(S) had revealed its true colours by supporting the “communal” Bharatiya Janata Party in the no-confidence motion against Legislative Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy.
Support to Mr. Shankaramurthy was purely based on a 2014 agreement between JD(S) and BJP to share the posts of Chairman and Deputy Chairman among themselves.
Mr. Kumaraswamy made it clear that his party would not have any truck with either the Congress or the BJP in the coming Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, the former Chief Minister said Mr. Siddaramaiah, who claims to be the champion of secularism, was actually indulging in caste politics. Majority of his decisions were influenced by caste considerations, including posting of government officials, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged and added that he need not learn any lessons on secularism from Mr. Siddaramaiah.
Targets BSY
BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa too appeared in favour of Mr. Shankaramurthy’s removal, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged. He substantiated the allegation saying Mr. Yeddyurappa, being the State party president, did not seek help from the JD(S) during the no-confidence motion. Instead, it was Leader of the Opposition in the Council K.S. Eshwarappa, V. Somanna, MLC, and Mr. Shankaramurthy himself, who sought help, he noted.
JD(S) was not in need of support of national parties, whether it is BJP or the Congress, he said.
