Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (S) appears to have angered the Kuruba community by its reported demand to keep former Chief Minister Siddamaraiah out of any future coalition government with the Congress in the state.
“Who is (JDS supremo) Deve Gowda to decide whether our leader, Siddaramaiah should become Chief Minister or not? Gowda is trying to stoke a fresh controversy by saying that even H K Patil, D K Shivakumar and K H Muniyappa are more acceptable. He is well known for his divide and rule tactics. Our leader would not have become Chief Minister in 2013 had he not left the JD(S), " said Mr Srinivas, an office-bearer of the Kurubara Sangha.
A city councillor from the community too declared that Mr Siddaramaiah was its ultimate leader, “who could make or break any government.” “ He has given a new lease of life to the Congress, which was almost written off in the state and it cannot afford to ignore his contribution. The welfare programmes launched by his government between 2013 and 2018 for all communities were the hallmark of his administration.
People still remember the Anna Bhagya scheme and milk served to lakhs of school children every day. It may be better to seek a fresh mandate from the people than run a government at the mercy of the Deve Gowda family,” he maintained.
A villager, Kumar, from Siddaramanahundi, the former Chief Minister’s village in Mysuru taluk, said it was sad that Mr Deve Gowda always talked of unconditional support before the formation of a coalition government and then went on to lay down a slew of conditions.
“He wants leaders like Patil, Muniyappa and Shivakumar, who will say yes to him in deference to his age. Siddaramaiah must reject JD(S) support and wait as the current BJP government will not survive till 2023,” he said.
