Karnataka: Will quit Congress in a week, says Adaguru H Vishwanath

Mysuru: It’s official. An emotional former minister Adaguru H Vishwanath on Friday announced his decision to end his love-hate relationship with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and quit the Congress in about a week’s time but kept his next move a secret. 

With his eyes brimming with tears, Mr Vishwanth who once represented Mysuru in Lok Sabha, told his supporters in Sangolli Rayanna community hall in his home town K R Nagar: “A situation has arisen for me to decide to quit my mother party, Congress, in agony. Sacrificing my seniority, I brought Mr Siddaramaiah into our party and made him Chief Minister. I was one among those who convinced senior leaders and brought Mr Siddaramaiah into the Congress when he was thrown out of JD (S) in order to realize the dream of people of the state to elect a leader of the backward classes as Chief Minister. Later I opposed some of their decisions. So they conspired to finish me politically, and created a situation for me to quit the party. At the age of 69 years, I am taking this decision to spend the fag end of my political carrier and life in a graceful, respectful, honourable, and dignified manner,” Mr Vishwanath said in an emotionally in a choked voice.

Mr Vishwanath, who recounted his four-decade-long stint in Congress, repeatedly criticized Mr Siddaramaiah. 

He charged that the Kuruba strongman had usurped the power of the party’s high command with none to question him as the party high command had turned weak.  “A politician must have two qualities: one to forgive, and another to be grateful, but Mr Siddaramaiah lacks both. He has forgotten all that was done by me in the past,” he added. 

He explained in detail about how Mr Siddaramaiah repeatedly insulted and humiliated him.  The veteran leader said he would decide which party to join after consulting friends, fans and supporters.