<p>State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday demanded that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy should quit his post and allow veteran Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge to occupy it.</p>.<p>Kumaraswamy, speaking at a function organised to mark the death anniversary of former chief minister N Dharam Singh in Chincholi on Tuesday, had said that Kharge should have been the chief minister. To this Yeddyurappa said: “If he (Kumaraswamy) is sincere in what he said, he should quit immediately and allow Kharge to be chief minister. If it (Kharge becoming CM) is really his dream, let him (Kumaraswamy) resign,”</p>.<p>BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatna also said Kumaraswamy should make way for Kharge. “Kumaraswamy’s statement is only a poll gimmick. Kharge is a senior leader. The Congress did not make use of his experience. It’s time Kumaraswamy allows Kharge to be CM,” he added.</p>.<p>Reacting to the chief minister’s statement, Kharge told reporters he has not taken Kumaraswamy’s statement seriously.</p>.<p>“He has said it out of affection...I don’t like to react to emotional statements. We have formed the coalition government to keep the BJP away from power. We will support any party for strengthening secularism,” he added.</p>.<p>Asked why Kumaraswamy has suddenly developed so much love for him, Kharge retorted saying that the question should be posed to the chief minister.</p>.<p>Kumaraswamy’s statement in favour of Kharge is seen as an effort to checkmate Congress legislature party leader Siddaramaiah, who had been expressing his desire to become the chief minister again. Kharge, who is a senior Dalit leader, missed an opportunity to become the chief minister in 2013.</p>
<p>State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday demanded that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy should quit his post and allow veteran Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge to occupy it.</p>.<p>Kumaraswamy, speaking at a function organised to mark the death anniversary of former chief minister N Dharam Singh in Chincholi on Tuesday, had said that Kharge should have been the chief minister. To this Yeddyurappa said: “If he (Kumaraswamy) is sincere in what he said, he should quit immediately and allow Kharge to be chief minister. If it (Kharge becoming CM) is really his dream, let him (Kumaraswamy) resign,”</p>.<p>BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatna also said Kumaraswamy should make way for Kharge. “Kumaraswamy’s statement is only a poll gimmick. Kharge is a senior leader. The Congress did not make use of his experience. It’s time Kumaraswamy allows Kharge to be CM,” he added.</p>.<p>Reacting to the chief minister’s statement, Kharge told reporters he has not taken Kumaraswamy’s statement seriously.</p>.<p>“He has said it out of affection...I don’t like to react to emotional statements. We have formed the coalition government to keep the BJP away from power. We will support any party for strengthening secularism,” he added.</p>.<p>Asked why Kumaraswamy has suddenly developed so much love for him, Kharge retorted saying that the question should be posed to the chief minister.</p>.<p>Kumaraswamy’s statement in favour of Kharge is seen as an effort to checkmate Congress legislature party leader Siddaramaiah, who had been expressing his desire to become the chief minister again. Kharge, who is a senior Dalit leader, missed an opportunity to become the chief minister in 2013.</p>
