Bengaluru: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on 16 rebel MLAs, who did not turn up to vote in favour of the confidence motion moved by him.
While remaining “candid” in his admissions, he dared the Opposition BJP to prove a single allegation against him. Taking part in the debate on confidence motion in the Assembly, Mr Kumaraswamy said he would like to see how the BJP functioned "honestly" and "transparently" if it was going to admit JD(S) MLA Gopalaiah, whose family member was allegedly involved in a murder case, into the party. Another rebel MLA was being quizzed for his alleged involvement in the IMA scheme? "I would like to know how you (Mr Yeddyurappa) will function as CM by inducting a gang of liars and backstabbers into your cabinet?" he said.
In his 45-minute emotional speech, he repeatedly claimed that he had no hesitation in "sacrificing" his post. "I am relived and happy. Yes, I made mistakes. I am a human being. I do know that you (Speaker) felt bad when the discussion was getting prolonged. Somewhere deep in my heart, I was feeling that rebels might return and save my government. That did not happen. I apologise to 6.5 crore Kannadigas and you (Speaker) for this prolonged discussion,” he said. On the Opposition's criticism over his stay in a five-star hotel, Mr Kumaraswamy admitted that though he retained a room in a five-star hotel in Bengaluru, he did not work from there.
He retained the room in the hotel because he considered it "lucky", he said.
"When the Assembly poll results came and the Congress asked me to become CM, I was in that room. Prior to this, Mr Yeddyurappa met me in the same room and that was how the 20:20 government came into existence. I challenge Mr Yeddyurappa to deny this. I have been retaining it since then,” Mr Kumaraswamy aid. Refuting the rebel MLAs' allegation that his government denied funds to their constituencies, Mr Kumaraswamy released detailed documents pertaining to the funds released.
