JOIN USChief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said Thursday that he will not "go with a begging bowl" to Congress leaders who are not supporting his son Nikhil’s candidature in the Mandya Lok Sabha seat.
A section of Congress leaders, who are supposed to work toward Nikhil’s victory as part of the alliance, is backing Independent Sumalatha.
"Some (Congress) have strayed too far ahead through the backdoor. There’s no need for me to discuss with them. My workers are capable. Instead of trusting backstabbers, I’ll trust those who’re working honestly. Losing my self-respect, I’m not going to go to them with a begging bowl,” Kumaraswamy told reporters.
Kumaraswamy also claimed that native Congressmen had supported Nikhil’s candidature.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar admitted that there were problems between Congress and JD(S) grassroots workers in several places.
"Our workers have problems at the local level. It’s natural for them to have differences in Ramanagara, Mandya, Hassan, Mysuru and so on. It needs to be controlled and I’m ready to take that responsibility,” he said after holding talks with Mandya Congress leaders Cheluvarayaswamy, Ravi Ganiga and JD(S) legislator Annadani.
Asked about the palpable popularity Sumalatha enjoyed, Shivakumar said: "We can’t neglect that. We can’t neglect anything in an election. Mandya isn’t a Congress seat. Even before Ambareesh died, it was with the JD(S). But there’s nothing wrong in Sumalatha seeking votes. You can’t stop people making moves in a game of chess."