JD-S takes exception to Congress chatter of making Siddharamaiah CM

Bengaluru:  With just 15 days to go for the 2019 Lok Sabha election results to be declared, coalition partners Congress and JD(S) returned to their sparring ways yesterday.

Barely 24 hours after Home Minister M.B. Patil batted in favour of Siddharamaiah for CM’s post, JD (S) State Chief A.H. Vishwanath said the comments were unbecoming of coalition partner.

Joining the chorus, Siddharamaiah alleged that a secret pact between the BJP and the JD(S) helped the former win 104 seats. He also said that he would return as CM, if the people so wished.  Even Muzrai Minister P.T. Parameshwar Naik reiterated that it would be better if Siddharamaiah becomes the CM.

Congress MLAs D. Sudhakar and B. Narayana Rao have also said they wish to see Siddu as CM again. Adding a spiritual and community touch to the issue, Kaginele Seer Niranjananandapuri Swamiji said that people have realised their mistake in not re-electing Siddharamaiah. “He will become CM again. This is for sure,” the Seer said.

As the war of words intensified, the Congress party stepped in and directed its Ministers and legislators not to make “irrelevant” statements and cause embarrassment to the party. KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao said that he had spoken to M.B. Patil and Parameshwar Naik. “There is no point in discussing it till 2023,” he said.

Downplaying the issue, he said it had been “hyped up” by the electronic media. “Our party high command has given commitment that JD(S) will lead the coalition for all five years and H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) will be the Chief Minister. We will stick to our commitment,” he said. “This decision was taken by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. Hence the question of a new CM does not arise,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the CM is learnt to have registered a strong protest with Congress on the issue. HDK, who met Dinesh Gundu Rao and Deputy CM Dr. Parameshwara at his official residence, expressed his anguish at the development.

“Why are senior Congress leaders silent when some Ministers are openly talking about a new CM? Why is Siddharamaiah not directing his supporters to stop making such statements?” Kumaraswamy was quoted by sources as asking Gundu Rao. The CM is learnt to have told Gundu Rao that the Congress should take immediate measures to silence his party leaders who are creating confusion.

JD(S) State President was more vocal in his statement where he said Siddharamaiah can never become CM again. “It is not proper on their (Congress Ministers and Legislators) part to say that Siddharamaiah should become CM when Kumaraswamy is holding the post. There are no chances of him becoming CM even if all like-minded Congress leaders come together,” the JD(S) leader told reporters.