Image Courtesy: ANI
Bengaluru: H D Kumaraswamy called himself a lot of things during his 14-month tenure as Chief Minister in the Congress-JD(S) coalition state government, from “Vishakanth” to “dependent” chief minister to “Sandarbika Shishu” (child of circumstances). Now, the former CM has said that while he helmed the state, he felt like he was a “slave” to the Congress party.
Speaking to ANI, here on Tuesday, August 6, HDK said, “During my 14-month tenure as CM of the state in the Congress-JDS coalition government, I was a ‘slave’ of the Congress party. I had given full freedom to the MLAs and also to those who were appointed as chairpersons of the various government bodies. I don’t know why they are humiliating and criticizing me now.”
“Although the national Congress leaders willingly supported the formation of a Congress-JDS state coalition, sources have informed me that the local party leaders were opposed to the coalition,” he added.
Expressing his distress at the way the coalition government toppled and the comments by some of the Congress leaders, HDK said, “From day one of the coalition government’s formation, the Congress leaders had been constantly critical of the alliance and passed some or the other comment on a daily basis. The people of the state have observed all of this and are aware of it too. I want to clarify that I had sanctioned Rs 19000 crores to the constituencies belonging to the Congress which is more than that given to the JDS.”
“I’ve met all the Congress leaders who came to me without an appointment. I responded immediately to all the demands that they placed before me. Whatever was not achievable for the previous state Congress government in five years, I’ve done and shown it in just a matter of 14-months, he stated.
Speaking about his party leaders, HDK said that they were unhappy with the coalition and that they knew that the Congress party would backstab them.
“None of our party members are willing to join hands with the Congress in future, but their party high command still supports us,” HDK added.
In the meanwhile, he said that he is happier and more relaxed now that he is no longer the CM in the coalition government.
