Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy tried to put to rest speculations about the longevity of the government by saying on Monday that the Congress-JD(S) coalition would function smoothly as long as it enjoyed the blessings of former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah.
This statement gains significance amidst an open spat between JD(S) State president A.H. Vishwanath and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Addressing a campaign rally of the Congress-JD(S) alliance candidate for Kundagol bypoll Kusumavati Shivalli in Kundagol, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the coalition government was formed with the blessings of Mr. Siddaramaiah and it was functioning well for the last one year.
“We are according due respect to Mr. Siddaramaiah and running the affairs of the government with his guidance,” he said, without directly referring to the ongoing spat. He steered clear of any further comments on the issue.
Coming down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party for allegedly indulging in a malicious campaign against the coalition government, he said they were doing so from the very first day. “They are simply dreaming about unseating this government. However, they should understand that if anyone could unseat this government, it is to be done by the people of the State,” he said.
Listing out various pro-farmer and pro-poor schemes launched by the State government, he said considering the welfare schemes catering to the needs of different sections of the society, which this government had launched, people would hardly wish that this government should go.
Transfer of votes
Appealing to the voters to support the JD(S)-Congress alliance candidate, he said that in the 2018 Assembly elections, the JD(S) and JD(U) candidates together had polled nearly 13,000 votes. “I appeal to their supporters to shift their voters to the Congress this time so that Ms. Kusumavati can register a thumping victory,” he said.
Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the BJP was not in a position to seek votes in the name of performance. Therefore, it was misleading the voters in Kundagol by saying that if BJP won the bypoll, B.S. Yeddyurappa would become the Chief Minister. “However, we are not sitting idle to let the BJP play their game,” he said.
He said the BJP members were welcome to join the Congress if they wished. Mr. Shivakumar promised to implement the development works that the late C.S. Shivalli wanted to carry out in his constituency and district.
