Father likes him, but will attack CM: HD Kumaraswamy

BENGALURU: The state unit of Janata Dal(S) would continue with its campaign against the state government irrespective of patriarch H D Deve Gowda’s soft corner for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, according to former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Talking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Kumaraswamy admitted that the latest development had given an impression that JD(S) was trying to be in the good books of Mr Siddaramaiah. But a soft stance towards Mr Siddaramaiah was the individual opinion of Mr Gowda, he added.

Noting that there were no permanent friends or foes in politics, the state JD(S) president said though he did not nurse a grudge against Mr Siddaramaiah, he was critical of functioning of the present government under his leadership. The seed of corruption sown by the previous BJP government was being well nourished by the present government. He did not see any difference between the previous and the present government as far as corruption was concerned. The swift developments taking place in Congress indicates that Mr Siddaramaiah’s position could be shaky with original Congressmen led by former union minister, Mr S M Krishna and KPCC President G Parameshwar reportedly trying to clip the wings of the CM. The next three to four months would be crucial for Mr Siddaramaiah as his continuance as the CM would dependent upon the outcome of polls to the Legislative Council and ZP/TP elections. Already, the anti-incumbency factor against the state government has set in, and people's ire would be mirrored during the battle of ballots, he added.

Mr Kumaraswamy said he plans to embark on a statewide tour soon without depending on his party legislators.