Just days after Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, cracks out in open within the coalition partners, the JD(S) and the Congress in the State. The outburst of HD Revanna, the PWD Minister and elder brother of HD Kumaraswamy against the Congress has sent political shock waves ahead of 2019 general elections. The discontent might hit seat sharing arrangement between the Congress and the JD(S) for the general elections.
Revanna said Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will “tolerate things as long as he can,” indicates the turmoil within the coalition. JDs led by former prime minister HD Devegowda, the supremo of the party is known for changing his political stand abruptly is a cause of worry for the century old party which hopes to make this alliance a spring board to make Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the unanimous choice for the prime ministerial candidate.
Revanna also hit out at the Congress for reportedly taking away the home department from a SC leader like G Parameshwara, who is also the deputy chief minister. He said “Kumaraswamy will tolerate as long as he can, but one day what will happen? We are not sitting here fearing (about losing power),”. Revanna told reporters in response to a question about a Congressman expected to be appointed as the chief minister’s political secretary. However he refused to answer a question on the JDs tolerating the Congress for the party’s high handedness.
“Why should I say there is lack of coordination between JD(S) and Congress. Everything will be discussed and decided by JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda, chief minister, Congress leaders and their general secretary KC Venugopal,” he added.
Revanna expressed displeasure about Parameshwara reportedly being moved out of the Home Ministry, Revanna rubbished the reports blaming him for it. He, however, indicated that some people within the Congress party were behind it.
“I know what kind of pressure Parameshwara was under from his own party. Parameshwara is from the SC community, what (wrong) did he do as home minister? Was it necessary to remove him from the post? As deputy Chief Minister, he should have both,” he said.
JD(S) workers are demanding the party leadership not to align with the Congress in the ensuing general elections and also to contest all the 28 seats. Many in the political circles are discussing about the timing of Revanna’s outburst against the Congress and its impact on the coalition.
As per the recommendation sent to Chief Minister Kumaraswamy by Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal, the Home Ministry has been allocated to MB Patil, who was inducted into the cabinet on Saturday.