Karnataka is not providing any security to women going from the State for darshan of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
Addressing a meet-the-press organised by the Press Club of Bengaluru and Bengaluru Reporters Guild on Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is heading a fragile coalition, said it is the responsibility of the Kerala Government.
He said “in federal system such assurance cannot be given. I cannot interfere in the functioning of other State Governments. Kerala Government has its own system of providing security to women devotees visiting Sabarimala following the Supreme Court verdict to allow all women in the age group of 10 to 55 also to visit the hill shrine".
The Chief Minister also declined to be dragged into the recent 'Me Too' campaign going on. "I don't want to comment on the issue. Let it be discussed by the learned people."
He asserted that the opportunity to occupy the CM's post was "godsend" for him and he was not bothered how long he would survive in the chair. Kumaraswamy, who is heading the Congress-JDS coalition government facing frequent pinpricks from some sections of the coalition partner, said both parties had come together to save the State and not for any vested interests.
Responding to a query, he said, "I am not bothered how long I am here in this post. I believe I am here for five years. God gave me this opportunity, which I have to use for the benefit of people,"
He also said the Narendra Modi "trend" witnessed in 2014 general election no more existed, as reflected in the results of several by-polls across the country. "Karnataka has provided a new platform for the 2019 parliament elections and a new political change will take place from here," he said.
Kumaraswamy claimed that the results of November 3 by polls in three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies in Karnataka would impact the poll outcome in the five states where assembly polls are being held.
JDS and Congress had entered into a post poll alliance after the May assembly polls yielded a hung verdict with BJP emerging as the single largest party but failing to muster numbers to form a government.
"We did not form the government to advance our vested interests. It is a government to save the state and its people. It is not a government to protect Siddaramaiah or Kumaraswamy," he said.
On the Congress-JD(S) coalition arrangement, Kumaraswamy said developments in Karnataka had always impacted national politics.