Kumaraswamy questions Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's morality, accuses him of 'betrayal'

Kumaraswamy alleged that Siddaramaiah ‘stabbed the party in the back’ in 2006, using the AHINDA movement.

Stepping up his attack against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, on Friday, alleged that the CM has ‘appointed’ his son (indicating at MLC Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah) for ‘collection’ and extortion, adding that the government officials are aware of this.

Speaking to media persons in Mysuru city, Kumaraswamy dismissed the CM's criticism of ‘family politics’ against the JD(S). “Siddaramaiah has no moral right to speak on family or hereditary politics. I did not bring my son, Nikhil, into politics for extortion. He entered public life due to the people’s demand. In contrast, Siddaramaiah's son is being used for illegal ‘collections’," he alleged.

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy visits Sri Chamundeshwari Devi temple, atop the Chamundi Hill, in Mysuru, on Friday. District JD(S) president S B M Manju, Rathna Halappagowda, ex-mayor M J Ravi Kumar, MLC C N Manjegowda, and MLA G D Harish Gowda are seen.

Digging up the past

Taking a dig at Siddaramaiah’s past, Kumaraswamy recalled the aftermath of the 1999 elections.

"After we all, including Siddaramaiah, lost in 1999, Siddaramaiah and H C Mahadevappa visited my father and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. Siddaramaiah was in tears, saying that he was done with politics. I am a witness to this — he cried so much that if we had placed a bucket, it would have overflowed. Deve Gowda consoled him and made some alternative arrangements, which Siddaramaiah has now conveniently forgotten," he said.

AHINDA challenge

The Union Minister accused Siddaramaiah of betrayal, stating that Siddaramaiah ‘stabbed the party in the back’ in 2006, using the AHINDA movement.

"When he left our party, the JD(S), only eight people went with him. If he truly considers himself a champion of the AHINDA communities, let him quit the Congress, form his own front, and win at least five to 10 seats on his own merit,” Kumaraswamy dared.

Ahinda is an acronym for Alpasankyatha (minorities), Hindulida (backward) and Dalit (Scheduled Castes), coined by Siddaramaiah in 2005.

Last nail in Congress coffin

Predicting the downfall of the ruling party, the Congress, Kumaraswamy stated that Siddaramaiah would fix the ‘last nail in the coffin’ for the Congress in Karnataka. "Siddaramaiah keeps telling that we are jealous of him. In fact, real jealousy over his position exists within his own party. Several Congress leaders are waiting for him to fail," he remarked.

Kumaraswamy took a swipe at the internal rumblings for the CM’s post in the Congress. “I know Siddaramaiah’s nature. He will never give up the post. Meanwhile, someone else in the party is desperately visiting temples and praying for the post. But, God doesn't fulfill selfish prayers," he added, in a veiled reference to the CM's rivals (Deputy CM D K Shivakumar) within the Congress.

Development

On the industrial front, Kumaraswamy promised to bring more factories to Karnataka, if the State government takes him into confidence.