A day after H.D. Kumaraswamy broke down before his party cadre over the circumstances in which he became the Chief Minister and on the Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition problems that he was facing, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha M. Mallikarjun Kharge said that Mr. Kumaraswamy needs to be “very courageous” to face such circumstances.
On Saturday, Mr. Kumaraswamy admitted that he was “unhappy” with the coalition set up, and that he was swallowing poison of coalition by becoming the Chief Minister. He also, in an oblique reference to some Congress leaders being unhappy about him becoming Chief Minister, said that he would not remain in the seat at the cost of his self-esteem.
On Sunday, Mr. Kharge said: “Congress won more number of seats than the JD(S). Therefore, Mr. Kumaraswamy has to be very courageous to face such circumstances. Just by telling people or his party, it is not going to be solved. He has to face (the situation).”
Further, he said the Chief Minister has to fulfil the desire of the people.
Congress legislator from Chickballapur K. Sudhakar also reacted to the Chief Minister’s emotional outburst. He said the Congress has given full cooperation to Mr. Kumaraswamy, who as the Chief Minister has to wipe tears of 6.5 crore people of Karnataka. “He should not cry. We will share both happiness and sorrow. Congress will stand by him,” he said.
Deve Gowda speaks
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda said Mr. Kumaraswamy broke down because he was overcome with emotions about not being able to help the poor to the extent he had planned. He was also hurt by some protesters in Mangaluru greeting the Chief Minister with placards saying “Not my CM”. He said Mr. Kumaraswamy wants to help anyone who comes to his office or residence with a demand. He also wants to waive all loans taken by rural women and provide financial incentives to pregnant and lactating women. But this has not been fully achieved. That is another reason he cried, Mr. Gowda said.
