Mysuru: On his campaign trail in Chamundeshwari Constituency where Chief Minister Siddharamaiah is fighting a high-profile electoral battle with incumbent MLA G.T. Devegowda, the CM yesterday had to face some embarrassing moments.
During a road show in Chamundeshwari, Gram Panchayat (GP) Member Mariswamy, the CM’s friend of 15 years, openly turned down an invite to join him (CM). Mariswamy said he would support the JD(S) that has promised the Deputy Chief Minister’s post to a Dalit if it came to power.
The incident occurred at Hale Kesare coming under Chamundeshwari Assembly segment where the CM recognised some of his old friends Veerabhadra and GP Member Rajanna and spoke to them.
Standing on an open jeep, Siddharamaiah identified Dalit leader Mariswamy, who is a Member of Siddalingapura GP.
The CM called out Mariswamy, who was standing with a bunch of people at a distance and watching the road show, and asked him to vote for Congress.
“Mariswamy, will you vote for me,” the CM asked. To this, Mariswamy replied, “I will not support you. I am in the JD(S).”
“Don’t forget you were with me earlier,” the CM said. Siddharamaiah tried to convince Mariswamy and said, “JD(S) and BJP are two sides of the same coin. Be with JD(S), but vote for me.” However, Mariswamy was adamant. He said, “Whatever the JD(S) might be. I will neither vote for you nor will I come with you.”
The CM even asked Mariswamy if he remembered he used to visit the latter’s house. When Siddharamaiah told Mariswamy, “Okay go, don’t come with me,” Mariswamy replied, “It is my village and you are in my place. You have to leave the place and not me. It is you who have left JD(S). Not me.”
Mariswamy continued, saying, “A big salute to the one who made you the Deputy Chief Minister in the past,” indirectly referring to JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. To this, Siddharamaiah replied, “That was then. Now, I am the Chief Minister.”
The CM indicated that working for the JD(S) was akin to helping the BJP which, he said, had leaders like Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde, who were openly advocating changing the Constitution and destroying statues of B.R. Ambedkar. But Mariswamy refused to buy the CM’s argument, saying he will work and vote for JD(S) candidate G.T. Devegowda.
As Mariswamy turned to go, JD(S) workers shouted slogans in favour of the party and its candidate against Siddharamaiah in Chamundeshwari, G.T. Devegowda.
The workers also asked the Chief Minister to leave the place.
No wonder CM has filed his nomination in 2 places,
In an election anything can happen. All parties make empty promises no one has any intentions of fulfilling them. We need to get out of this electoral college and find a better way to get the right people into office. This should happen from day 1 when the government takes office. All three parties are what they call ‘Gujri’ hopeless, corrupt, failing to live up to the people’s expectations of meeting basic needs of water supply, housing, electricity, education, clean air, low crime rates, building infrastructure and more. In this case there is nothing wrong for Siddu to contest from 2 seats. He is also another politician and anyone else in his shoes would do the same. So stop this nonsense of electing theses people who are out of touch with the reality of people’s lives today and find a better system that works for everyone especially all kannadigas with no exceptions. Mutts are thriving businesses and do some good for society however they should shun politicians and carry on with the work of preserving culture, faith, helping people again without caste considerations and pray for the benefit of society at large. Hope this election will be a eye opener of sorts and people vote in majority for one party and try and work with a party in power in Delhi to at least complete state projects which could be getting closer to sorting out center and state problems. We need a new system no more of this rubbish at next elections hopefully in 5 years.
Elections are celebration of democracy as it were. Karnataka is no different. The people of the state have to rise above narrow politics of caste, creed, region & religion to vote somebody who respects the country’s composite culture and does not indulge in rank divisive politics. Mutts & so called seers must stay away from influencing the elections. People must recognize as to who is making hollow, empty promises from the roof top and the one who is more realistic about ground realities. Development should not be a mere slogan to win the elections & come to power and, later on, forget all the promises made as only poll rhetoric with no real substance. Illiteracy & lack of proper education often help such political satraps who try to perpetuate their rein over people by embroiling them in issues such as preserving their culture and so on with no real footprint for helping the cause of modern scientific education, more affordable health, core municipal infrastructure, drinking water, sanitation, waste disposal, clean pothole-free roads, pollution-free ecosystem, etc. Most politicians drown such real issues in the cacophony of their rhetorical bombast & hyperbole.