K’taka partners Congress, JD(S) continue to spar over CM position
BENGALURU:Tension between partners of the ruling coalition in Karnataka, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) flared with chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and other JD(S) leaders, including its state chief A H Vishwanath, upset over a few Congress legislators clamouring for Siddaramaiah to become CM again. Several Congress leaders, including state home minister MB Patil, have asked for the return of Siddaramaiah to the chief minister’s chair. On Monday, Congress legislator ST Somashekar reiterated the demand.
The call has irked the JD(S) leadership, with Vishwanath on Sunday flaying it as “chamchagiri” (sycophancy) and questioning the ability of Siddaramaiah as an administrator.
On Monday, Siddaramaiah took to Twitter and said, “I would raise the jealousy ridden comments of H Vishwanath’s in the co-ordination committee meeting. First it was G T Deve Gowda now it is Vishwanath. Next who knows? It is better that JD(S) leadership reins in such irresponsible comments directed at me.” He said “coalition Dharma” was preventing him from speaking openly against “irresponsible” remarks of Vishwanath.
Amid coalition worries, a meeting of “like-minded” Congress MLAs will take place after bypolls to Kundgol and Chincholi assembly constituencies on May 19. Somashekhar, who is the convener of the meeting, said on Monday ,“(The) meeting will happen, there is no problem with it. The date has to be finalised, May 21 is the plan, but (I) have not spoken to everyone, as all are busy with the election.”
The meeting gains significance following former CM BS Yeddyurappa’s statement last week that the longevity of the government would depend on the stand taken by about 20 “disgruntled” Congress legislators.