Mysore: The war of words between JD(S) leaders and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turned even uglier on Tuesday, with former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy imputing motives to his former party colleague-turned bete noire for not initiating action against four mining companies as recommended by the Union government.
Addressing media persons in Madikeri on Tuesday while campaigning for the JD(S) candidate and retired high court Judge Chandrasekhariah, Mr Kumaraswamy challenged Mr Siddaramaiah – who enjoys a squeaky clean reputation – to come clean on why the state government had not acted on the central department’s letter on cancellation of licences of Kaviraj Mines of Hospet taluk, Kasturi Mines of Davangere, Kumaraswamy Mines and Kumaraswamy Minerals Pvt Ltd.
“Why has the state government headed by Mr. Siddaramaiah remained silent though several days have passed since the letter arrived. Mr Siddaramaiah is caught on the wrong foot, but that doesn’t stop him from making allegations against everyone else,” he added.
Mr. Kumaraswamy dared the Chief Minister to disclose the names of black-listed contractors who Mr Siddaramaiah had alleged, had paid off his kin and his father Mr H.D. Deve Gowda. He also wondered why Mr Siddaramaiah was fighting shy of instituting an inquiry into the property that were allegedly illegally owned by his father, the Dal (S)’s patriarch, limiting the accusations to campaign rhetoric without backing up his allegations.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders petitioned the Election Commission against Mr. Kumaraswamy for using “defamatory language” against D.K. Suresh, Member of Parliament and party nominee from Bangalore (Rural) Lok Sabha constituency.
Leaders of Ramanagara district unit of Congress submitted a letter to the Election commission in Bengaluru, alleging that Mr. Kumaraswamy had addressed Mr. Suresh as a “murderer” and a “granite thief” at a party workers meet at Ramanagara on March 22. They demanded action against the former chief minister on grounds that his statements tantamount to violation of the model code of conduct.
The Chief Minister’s office declined to comment on the charges made by the former CM. No one is clear who owns these mining companies and who gave these companies the license to operate.
