Former Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday reiterated that he will support anyone who will work for the welfare of the people, “be it even Siddaramaiah.”
Explaining that his “soft corner” for the BJP government was only in the interest of the welfare of people, especially in the context of floods, Mr. Kumaraswamy said: “The situation is terrible in 13 flood-hit districts. I have closely seen the plight of people. If we politicise and destabilise the government, what will happen to relief work? That does not mean I will embrace the BJP. I will support any party, which will work for the flood-hit people.”
He was speaking at a Meet the Press programme jointly organised by Bengaluru Press Club and Bengaluru Reporters’ Guild. Asked if he was ready to support even Mr. Siddaramaiah, with whom he has been engaged in a constant war of words, to help people, he said: “Yes. Anyone who will work for the welfare of the people.”
However, he said his party will go alone and field candidates in all 15 seats going to bypolls. “According to the BJP Ministers themselves, the State may face polls any time. Today, a senior BJP Minister said he has chalked out some good programmes in the department but is not sure if he can implement them after January. This shows that the BJP itself is not sure if the government will continue. If there are fresh polls, we will not enter into an alliance,” he said.
He explained that his only contention is that if the government is destabilised, President’s rule will be thrust upon people making it difficult for the administration to carry out relief works. “It will eventually aggravate the problem of farmers. Even if there are fresh polls, what happens in the event of no party getting a clear mandate?” he asked.
Denying reports that he is going soft on the BJP as he was worried that he will get fixed in the IMA and phone-tapping cases, Mr. Kumaraswamy said: “That is the media’s interpretation. When I have done nothing wrong, why should I be worried?”
