Finally, Vishwanath says goodbye to Congress

Says he is quitting party because of Siddaramaiah

Senior Congress leader Adagur H Vishwanath on Friday announced that he is quitting the Congress.
“I was overjoyed when Siddaramaiah became the chief Minister. Now, I am leaving the Congress with a lot of pain inflicted by the same person” the former minister and MP said.

Speaking at a special meeting organised by Vishwanath Abhimani Balaga here, Vishwanath said he has finally decided to quit the Congress. “However, I am yet to take a decision on joining other party. I will hold discussions with my followers and friends and take a suitable decision at the right time,” he said.

“ I have been with the Congress for more than 40 years. I have helped many get political recognition. The Congress is like my mother. I had dreamt of becoming the chief minister. But, I sacrificed my desire and became instrumental in making Siddaramaiah the chief minister. Now, I am leaving the party only because of him”.

He said he made all efforts to facilitate Siddaramaiah’s entry into the Congress, when he (Siddaramaiah) had identified himself with the Ahinda movement and come out of the JD(S). “I spoke to Sonia Gandhi, S M Krishna, Dharam Singh, Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders and convinced them. But, within two years of becoming the chief minister, Siddaramaiah changed. This led to difference of opinion between us and caused a rift. I was unnecessarily dragged into his expensive watch controversy. But, Siddaramaiah did not even have the courtesy of visiting me in the hospital when I was ill,” said Vishwanath.

“It is not possible to finish me off politically. But, Siddaramaiah is all set to finish off the Congress,” he stated.