Media twists anything, won't speak to media: CM

Accusing the media of twisting “anything said by him” Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said he will not speak to mediapersons directly.

The chief minister lashed out at the media, days after his statements against farmers, specifically the use of the word ‘goondas’ to express his disapproval of farmers, led to a furore. He was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Badavara Bandhu’ scheme, which aims to extend affordable loans to street-side vendors.

“Media have been giving different meanings to whatever I say. I have now reached a situation where I have to take advice from a media committee before speaking. Therefore, I will not speak to the media. I will share my opinion on the dais. Write them down if you want, or else leave it,” he said.

The chief minister said he has not come to power to establish his permanent rule. “I will continue my work till the Congress supports me. More than 20 chief ministers have come and gone and I know that it’s not permanent. As long as I am at the helm, I will utilise the taxpayers’ money for the development of the state,” he said.

Kumaraswamy also took a potshot at the opposition BJP which “finds a problem in everything I say”. “A section of people has jaundice. Whatever I say and do will appear wrong for them,” he said.