BJP, JD(S) are struggling like fish out of water: CM Siddaramaiah attacks two parties
Belagavi (K'taka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said BJP and JD(S) are in a state of illusion about his government's fall, as he hit out at former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for predicting its collapse.
The BJP and JD(S) have joined hands and struck an alliance in Karnataka to fight the ruling Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
"BJP and JD(S) are struggling like fish out of water, they are in a state of illusion, what to do?" Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question on Kumaraswamy's statement that the government will collapse.
Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) state President, on Sunday claimed that an 'influential minister' of the ruling Congress may join the BJP as he is desperate to wriggle out of 'cases' filed against him by the Centre.
The Minister may quit the Congress and join the BJP along with '50 to 60 MLAs,' and he is currently 'negotiating' with BJP leaders, he had said.
Regarding Minister Priyank Kharge insisting on removing the life-size portrait of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar from the Assembly chamber at the 'Suvarna Vidhana Soudha' here, Siddaramaiah said, "it is a matter concerning the Speaker."
The unveiling of Savarkar's portrait in December, 2022 by the previous BJP government, along with several national icons, had drawn criticism from the then opposition -- Congress -- which had alleged that it was a unilateral decision, keeping them in the dark.
Stating that the government is ready to respond on all issues raised by the Opposition, the Chief Minister said there is no question of any delay or wasting time on the part of his government.
"Discussion has happened regarding the drought situation in the state and we will be replying to it probably today. From tomorrow, issues related to the north Karnataka region will be discussed and we will reply to it," he added.
On the alleged lack of coordination among BJP leaders in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah said there is no chance of any coordination between them as there are two to three groups in the opposition party.
"There has never been coordination among BJP leaders, as they had come to power through 'Operation Lotus' and subsequently they lost in Assembly polls in May, as people rejected them," he said.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah said he has told Panchamasali Lingayat community leaders and seers that he will talk to them in Bengaluru, after the conclusion of the ongoing Assembly session, regarding their demands, including 2A category reservation among backward classes.
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Fan tries to die by suicide over Nikhil Kumaraswamy's bypoll loss
Bengaluru: Channapatna JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who lost the byelection to C.P. Yogeshwar of Congress, on Sunday consoled a fan who reportedly attempted to end his life and requested him not to repeat such acts.
Manjunath, fondly called Abhi, had even penned a letter before taking the dangerous step. Nikhil, who called on Manjunath at the latter’s home in Kudloor in Channapatna, expressed shock and sadness over the incident.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy reassured Manjunath, expressing his support during the difficult time. He told him that he was deeply troubled to learn of this incident and emphasised that he would stand by him. Nikhil also promised to offer assistance in any way he could, including helping him secure employment opportunities in the future, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
He also reminded Manjunath of the importance of his children’s well-being, urging him to focus on their future. “Please, look at the faces of your growing children. Even I have a three-year-old son. The children are young, let us take care of their future also. I will arrange some job opportunities for you. I might not be an MLA but this is a challenge. I will get you employed,” he said.
Nikhil told media persons that he is extremely hurt more by Manjunath’s attempt to die than by his loss in the election. “At 7:30 a.m., we got a message that in Valetoopu, Manjunath had consumed poison yesterday. In Channapatna, our workers and leaders have built this party with zeal. Let the admiration be there in your hearts but if it crosses the line, your families get hurt and we get very pained by it,” he was quoted as saying by the publication.
Speaking of his byelection loss, Nikhil reiterated that the JD(S) had got its traditional votes, but that the votes of a particular community went against the party.
“Deve Gowda gave reservation to a community. We tried our last attempt to take that community into confidence. But they conveyed to us that they do not require us. In future, we will take other communities into confidence,” he remarked in a veiled reference to Muslims.
Nikhil lost the election by a margin of 25,413 votes to Congress candidate C.P. Yogeshwar.
