HD Kumaraswamy, the man who is now the self-proclaimed ‘king’ of Karnataka has benefited from the hung verdict after Karnataka assembly polls. Just like his father who was lucky enough to be Prime Minister with just 16 seats in Lok Sabha, Mr Kumaraswamy is also going to take the top post in the state with just 37 seats. Since Kumaraswamy has won from two seats, the number will now be 36.
The stated aim of Congress-JDS alliance is to ensure that Karnataka has a “secular government”. But the reality is, the alliance is nothing but a marriage of convenience and has absolutely nothing to do with secularism. It has absolutely no agenda for governance as of now. Media reports suggest that the two parties are bargaining hard for ministerial portfolios.
A common voter is usually not surprised when politicians say one thing today and say something opposite after a few days. But sometimes, the contradiction of statements is so huge that one is forced to ask the question – ‘Do these leaders have any conscience at all?’. The common man must remember five statements of HD Kumaraswamy who will take oath as the CM of Karnataka.
Rahul Gandi doesn’t know ABCD of Karnataka politics
Interview to Livemint on March 27, 2018
“Poor Rahul Gandhi doesn’t know the ABCD of Karnataka politics. They (Congress) use us when required and are now calling us the BJP’s ‘B’ team. Who is the reason for me joining hands with the BJP earlier (in 2008)? Before criticizing us let Rahul Gandhi go to his mother and ask what was promised and why people rejected their party which was ruling (at the centre).”
After questioning the political acumen of Congress president, the JDS leader is now standing meekly between the mother son duo after the results. If he does believe that Congress party follows a use and throw policy, why is he forming a government along with them?
Congress is more dangerous than BJP for Democracy
Interview to Livemint on March 27, 2018
“I have said this many times, in the democratic set-up of this country, they (Congress) are more dangerous than the BJP. Today if we stand next to the BJP and just cough, the Congress will be washed out of Karnataka. Whatever little dignity the Congress party has is thanks to the JD(S). The Congress led by Siddaramaiah should be the Z or Y team of the BJP. By discussing about the JD(S) time and again, you (Congress) are inviting your own ouster, as predicted by the BJP, from Karnataka.”
If Congress is more dangerous than BJP why is Kumaraswamy allying with them? No one in Karnataka has doubts regarding his intentions. The CM seat for a junior partner is an offer that cannot be refused in coalition politics. Only time will tell whether he can pursue policies or run the government without hiccups from the big brother.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee will become an ATM for Congress
The Hindu report on April 9, 2018
“For Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee and Mr. Siddaramaiah will become like an ATM. If Congress is voted to power, the State will be looted.”
This remark is probably true. The only major state where Congress has a government today is Punjab. Will Kumaraswamy now fund the campaign of Congress in 2019?
If you want your Kumaranna to be alive, please make us win.
On the final day of the campaign, Times of India on May 10, 2018. Also reported in Suvarna News (video link).
“Despite all constraints, I have been working tirelessly to secure 113 seats and bring the JD(S) to power. If you want your Kumaranna to be alive, please make us win. If you save me by ensuring my victory, I will save you. Only you have the strength to save me and I am ready to work for you. If our candidates win, we will win.”
Definitely, the outcome of this poll was a matter of life and death for JDS. How can a party survive if it is out of power for fifteen years in a row? The concern for self preservation has taken precedence over the interests of the state for Mr HD Kumaraswamy
I will not ally with any party in case of a hung verdict
In a TV program prior to the elections, the JDS leader had said that he would not get into alliance even if other two parties come to him with an offer. The Kannada translation of the conversation is below.
HD Kumararaswamy: We will not go for alliance either the Congress or the BJP, we will sit in the opposition. If need be we will go for another election but will not join with any party. We will go for another poll.
Anchor : What if Congress or BJP come to you on their own and offer you support?
HD Kumararaswamy: I can write this on a Bond paper and give it to you. In case of a hung verdict, we will sit in opposition of get ready for fresh polls.
#KarnatakaElections2018 main na bhoolunga pic.twitter.com/lLTcuPnxNJ
— Ramakrishna Udupa (@itsme005) May 16, 2018
Someone should have given him a bond paper and made him write his statement. We could have shown it to the JDS leader and asked him some questions before he takes oath as CM tomorrow. Meanwhile, Karnataka might have to pay the price for giving a hung verdict which has enabled the party with least number of seats to lead the government in the state, in the form of terrible misgovernance by an alliance that has nothing in common.
