I can’t help if my words are misread: Hebbalkar

Congress MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar on Monday said that her usage of the word “service” had been misinterpreted by her party colleague and Women and Child Development Minister Jayamala, and that she can’t be held responsible for it.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Laxmi, who is also State Mahila Congress chief, said, “The word ‘serve’, means one’s service rendered to the party. I can’t be responsible, if she (Jayamala) has misunderstood it. I share a good relationship with her. Ever since I became the state women’s wing president, I have always made it a point to call Jayamala and keep her in the loop about the programmes to be organised. She has participated in all the programmes and stood by me. I have no objections to her being made the minister, I am not jealous,” she said.

She also said that appointing leaders as ministers was left to the discretion of the party high command. “I will be happy if I am made a minister. This doesn’t mean I will be upset if I am not considered. I am a loyal party worker. I believe in the present. I don’t break my head about the past or the future,” she added.

Soon after Jayamala was inducted into the H D Kumaraswamy Cabinet, Laxmi had said that the party may have made her the minister, impressed by her “services”.