Bengaluru: Defending his son and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's statement that he was at the mercy of the Congress and not 6.5 crore Kannadigas, Janata Dal (Secular) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda admitted that it would be difficult to keep the promise of relief of farmers (crop loan waiver) without the co-operation of the coalition partner-Congress.
Talking to reporters here on Monday, he said that on the one hand, the Janata Dal (Secular) had just 37 legislators and on the other hand, Mr Kumaraswamy had to run the government with the help of another party. They had to continue their (Congress) programmes too. Without their support, it would be very difficult to fulfill the aspirations of lakhs of farmers who were waiting for the waiver of their crop loan.
Making it clear that it was he who had offered to support a Congress-led coalition government after none of the parties failed to get a simple majority to form a government of its own, Mr Gowda said senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mr Ashok Gehlot instead wanted Mr Kumaraswamy to become the CM with their support. In fact, the decision to back Mr Kumaraswamy for the post of CM was taken by the Congress High Command.
“During discussion between me and Delhi Congress leaders, I told them I have no problem if they form the government. But they insisted that my son should become the Chief Minister.” Mr Gowda said.
Unable to bear the pressure over sharing of portfolios, Mr Kumaraswamy had volunteered to tender his resignation from the Chief Minister’s post if need be, and had also said he was at the Congress party’s mercy and not 6.5 crore Kannadigas, he said.
