Kumaraswamy, who seldom speaks in the Lok Sabha, stood up and vehemently protested Kumar’s comment during a debate on illegal mining. Kumar said Kumaraswamy had made 22 recommendations for mine leasing when he was the chief minister of a minority government. Kumar’s comment came while giving details of the recommendations given by each chief minister for iron ore mine leases.
“If I had recommended anyone after my government got the minority status, I will quit politics,” Kumaraswamy said. Later, giving a clarification, he accused Kumar of misleading the House, but the latter stuck to his words.
However, Kumaraswamy’s father H D Deve Gowda said: “I request Kumaraswamy to be silent. When our turn comes, we will speak.” Later, Gowda said Kumaraswamy as CM had written to the Centre on July 21, 2006, covering all aspects of mining.
Kumar said during S M Krishna’s tenure as chief minister (1999-2004), 16 cases involving 2,048 hectare had been recommended for leasing, while Dharam Singh’s tenure (2004-06), saw 42 recommendations involving 2,964.29 hectare. During Kumaraswamy’s tenure (2006-07), 44 recommendations recorded covering 8,042.30 hectare and during Yeddyurappa’s term, 23 recommendations involving 991 hectare was made, he said.