BIDAR: The love-hate relationship between the Congress and JD(S) continues as ever with Congress MLA from Basvakalyan B Narayan cautioning the CM against taking the party’s support for granted. “CM H.D. Kumaraswamy should know very well that he is heading the government sitting on our shoulders as he has only 37 MLAs, whereas we have 80. If he doesn’t play mischief with us (namma kiviyolage enne biduva Kelasa maadiddare), he will continue in office for five years. Otherwise he will be forced to quit,” Mr Narayan said.
These utterances of Mr Narayan, close on the heels of the desire expressed by former CM Siddaramaiah to become CM again, has raised eyebrows in political circles because Mr Narayan is identified as a close follower of Siddaramaiah. What is more significant is that this is not the first time that Mr Narayan has warned Mr Kumaraswamy against belittling Mr Siddaramaiah. Some days ago, Mr Narayan had warned CM that the coalition government would be ‘dethroned’ in no time if he (Mr Kumaraswamy) undermined the importance of Mr Siddaramaiah, who heads the Coordination Committee.
Speaking at a function here to mark the birth anniversary of Shri Narayana Guru, Mr Narayan said Mr Siddaramaiah becoming CM again is as “truthful as the rise of the Sun” in the east. “As CM, Mr Siddaramaiah rendered yeoman service especially for the backward communities. Moreover when he was CM, there was no issue of South Karnataka vs North Karnataka as he gave equal importance to all regions. But some forces inimical to development, conspired to deprive him of the CM’s post that he deserved. Everyone should realise that just like the rise of the Sun is certain, so is the issue of Mr Siddaramaiah becoming CM again. If Mr Kumaraswamy plays mischief, he will be sent home,” Mr Narayan asserted addressing the CM in the singular.
Terming Bidar North MLA A Rahim Khan as an “untainted politician”, he said that he should become minister. “Soon I will go Delhi and pressure the high command to make you a minister. Like Mr Bandeppa Kashempur and Mr Rajashekhar Patil Humnabad you should also travel in the lal batti (red light) vehicle,” he said.
