Mysuru: Dismissing Union minister Ananthkumar’s claim that the Congress was buying votes as it did not have enough for its three Rajya Sabha candidates as “irresponsible,” and untrue, CM Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the party had decided to field a third candidate as it had 33 votes more than needed for its two candidates, and the backing of six independents.
As for the allegation by state JDS chief H D Kumaraswamy that the Congress was out to finish his party, he said, “Nobody can weaken or finish any party. In a democracy, opposition parties need to be strong.
Kumaraswamy is afraid of losing the elections, and so is talking in this manner. If there is infighting in the JDS and if its MLAS are interested in voting for us , what can we do about it?"
The CM, who was speaking to reporters in Sharada Devinagar after planting saplings to mark World Environment Day, however, refused to comment on the alleged role of political pressure in the resignation of Koodlagi DySP, Anupama Shenoy.
Asked about BJP leader, Jagadish Shettar’s declaration that he would retire from active politics if his charges of corruption against minister Baburao Chinchansur were proved wrong, Mr Siddaramaiah said, “Let the allegations be proved and then he can do whatever he wants. Documents related to his charges will be examined.”
