Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Swallowing pain like Lord Shiva who drank poison, says Kumaraswamy; BJP calls him ‘best actor’

The Indian Express had reported strains between the coalition partners which were trying to govern while establishing distinct identities in the state.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Saturday expressed unhappiness at the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state, saying it does not have the mandate of the people. Addressing JD(S) party workers, a visibly emotional Kumaraswamy equated the pain of being the leader of the coalition to swallowing poison.

At an event, organised by the party to felicitate Kumaraswamy for becoming the CM and waiving farm loans, the CM said, “You are all happy that one of your brothers has become the Chief Minister. But I am not happy. I am swallowing my pain like Vishakanta (Lord Shiva).”
Kumaraswamy said that ahead of the state elections, he had asked the people to make him the chief minister to bring in a pro-people government that would solve the issues of the farmers, the poor and the needy. “But they did not show their trust in me,” he said, even as the crowd shouted, “We are with you.” The son of former PM HD Deve Gowda further said the people showered him with love and affection when he travelled across the state, but while voting forgot his party and candidates.

The Indian Express had reported strains between the coalition partners which were trying to govern while establishing distinct identities in the state. In his maiden budget earlier this month, Kumaraswamy performed a balancing act by unveiling a farm loan waiver as promised by his party and continuing with all policies proposed by the previous Siddaramaiah-led Congress government.

Responding to Kumaraswamy’s remarks, Congress leader and Karnataka deputy CM G Parameshwara was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, “How can he say that? He must definitely be happy, CM has to be always happy. If he’s happy, we’ll all be happy.”
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy breaks down while speaking of Congress-JDS coalition govt During the function, Kumaraswamy expressed unhappiness at the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state. (PTI Photo)

Meanwhile, the state BJP unit taunted Kumaraswamy, calling him “a talented actor”. “And the best acting award goes to…Our country has produced talented actors. Actors who have mesmerised the audience with their brilliant performance, here we have another legendary actor Mr Kumaraswamy, an actor who has constantly fooled common man with his amazing acting skills,” BJP tweeted tagging a video clip of Kumaraswamy getting emotional.

The JD(S) and the Congress cobbled up an alliance in the state after the BJP emerged the single largest party with 104 seats in the Karnataka Assembly Elections. The Congress, in a move to keep the BJP out of power, pledged unconditional support to the JD(S) to form the government. Kumaraswamy took oath as Chief Minister on May 23, 2018.