Let CM or Cong chief come for talks, says HDK

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Monday said his party’s first priority is Congress, in case an alliance has to be made, to run the BBMP council administration.

However, he said the initiation in this direction should come from the Congress-side. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or KPCC president G Parameshwara should call him or his father H D Deve Gowda, in case the Congress wants to formalise the alliance.

He said the JD(S) corporators who are presently in a resort in Kerala, would continue staying there till September 6.

On his return from Chikkamagalur, Kumaraswamy chaired a meeting of key party MLAs and MLCs at MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan’s residence in the City.

Following which, he told the media that his party would extend support to whichever party was committed to rectify the burgeoning problems of Bengaluru. And, first priority would be the Congress.

He also said that he didn’t want his party being branded as an “opportunist.”  “So far, the Congress leaders have restricted holding discussions with second-line leaders such as Zameer Ahmed Khan.

If either, the chief minister or KPCC president will call me or my father, then we will clarify our party stand.

Siddaramaiah and Deve Gowda should sit down and hold discussions. Without State government’s support, the Palike will not be able to repay its loans,” he said, and added that none of the top leaders of the saffron party, including Amit Shah, had contacted the JD(S) leaders.

Earlier in the day, JD(S) MLA H D Revanna met Siddaramaiah at his residence, Cauvery.  Soon after Kumaraswamy interacted with the media, Zameer and Akhanda Srinivasamurthy met Siddaramaiah to communicate the party’s stand.