Stop spending time on criticism, HDK tells BJP

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy lashed out at the BJP on Thursday, accusing the saffron party leaders of spending time criticising the Congress-JD(S) coalition.

The BJP has mounted an attack on the Congress-JD(S) coalition, calling it 'an unholy alliance'. BJP leaders, led by its state president B S Yeddyurappa, staged a street protest on Wednesday, before Kumaraswamy took oath as chief minister.

“BJP leaders should stop the brickbats. Their time is spent only in criticising us,” Kumaraswamy told reporters here.

Kumaraswamy sought the blessings of Pattanayakanahalli Nanjadhoota Swami, followed by a visit to the Adichunchanagiri Mutt and then the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru.

The newly-appointed chief minister also met his father, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda at his Padmanabhanagar residence. “It was the first time I met him after becoming chief minister. We discussed several things. He gave me some political advice and advice on how to take Karnataka on the path of development,” Kumaraswamy said.

On waiving farm loans, a poll promise he had made, Kumaraswamy said it was his top priority. “Let there be no doubt in this. I will announce the loan waiver soon after discussing it with Congress leaders.”