I was misinterpreted: CM Kumaraswamy over ‘swallowing poison’ remark

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Jul 17, 2018 : Karnataka’s chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday he was misquoted on his comments last week that he was unhappy heading the state’s Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition government.

 

“I didn’t speak about Congress or any Congress leader. I didn’t mention anything about Congress in my speech. That was a party program and I got emotional, Media misinterpreted my speech,” Kumaraswamy was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Kumaraswamy broke down in public last Saturday and declared he was being forced to become ‘Vishakanth’, referring to Lord Shiva swallowing poison for the good of the world.

“You are standing with bouquets to wish me, as one of your brothers became chief minister and you all are happy, but I’m not. I know the pain of coalition government,” ANI quoted him as saying.

Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal(Secular) or JD (S) and the Congress joined hands after the May 12 assembly polls in Karnataka and the parties have sparred with each other over a range of issues, from the state budget to the appointment of pro-tem chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council.

Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah was heard in a video in June expressing doubts about the longevity of the coalition government. He criticised Kumaraswamy’s decision to present a full budget in July when the previous Congress government had rolled out one in February.

Kumaraswamy, since taking over as chief minister, has at various times doubted if his government will complete its term and then said he is confident it will.


courtesy:HT