Karnataka MLC A H Vishwanath.
Credit: DH Photo
Mysuru: MLC A H Vishwanath ridiculed fellow MLC Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, for comparing his father Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on the development issue.
It can be noted that Dr Yathindra had said that the contributions of his father Siddaramaiah, for the development of Mysuru, are equal to or even more than that of Nalvadi, stoking a debate. During an interaction with media persons, in Mysuru, on Friday, he was replying to a query on the criticism about the Sadhana Samavesh held by his father in Mysuru, last week.
Vishwanath was commenting on Dr Yathindra’s claim, in Mysuru, on Saturday. Vishwanath, who was nominated by the earlier BJP-led government, is a prominent Congress leader, who also had a short stint with both JD(S) and BJP. During the last Assembly election (2023), he was supportive of the Congress, but his support shifted to the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha poll.
“This is the height of arrogance. Siddaramaiah is very egoistic and always says: 'It's me, it's me’. He even says that he gave better governance than the late CM D Devaraja Urs. It looks like his ego and arrogance has flowed down like a genetic trait in the Siddaramaiah family. Siddaramaiah and his son are talking like misanthropes. In our region, people who talk like this are called 'HM', meaning 'mad fellow',” he said.
“Dr Yathindra is still a youth. This kind of arrogant talk is not right at his age. Forget Nalwadi. Siddaramaiah's administration is not even comparable to that of Devaraja Urs or S M Krishna. Siddaramaiah should first state what is his contribution to this state,” Vishwanath said.
“Siddaramaiah had earlier asked if the Maharajas brought money from their father's house for development. Is Siddaramaiah now bringing money from his father's house to do development?” Vishwanath asked.
“Siddaramaiah's son should give up this 'doulatgiri' (arrogance/pompousness). There is no politician in this country who can be compared to Nalwadi,” he said.
Yaduveer declined to comment
Meanwhile, Mysore-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said, being a descendant of Nalvadi, he himself should not comment on Dr Yathindra’ s statement.
However, he said, “It's not right for anyone to compare themselves to others. One shouldn't think that they are superior or inferior to others”.
“The Maharajas did their duty. Those in power now should state what work they have done. The work done by the Maharajas is before the people to see. As their descendant, I don't feel it's right for me to comment. People know what the Maharajas have done,” Wadiyar said.
“It's inappropriate to bring up random topics to divert attention from the main issues. What has Siddaramaiah given to Mysuru Airport in the last 15 years? People are suffering due to the hike in price of essential commodities. First, solve their problems. Poor traders are being harassed by the Karnataka State Commercial Tax department for GST. Stop this first. You don't need to compare yourself,” he said.