The tumultuous alliance in Karnataka saw turbulence yet again on Monday as CM HD Kumaraswamy threatened to step down from the Chief Minister's position after Congress MLA ST Somashekar said that under the coalition, development works seem to have hit a roadblock.
A visibly angered Kumaraswamy told reporters, "We are doing a good job, but if my way of functioning is not acceptable to everyone, then I am ready to quit. I don't want to continue also. I am not ready to stick to the chair."
Meanwhile, in a bid to quell the war of words, AICC in-charge for Karnataka KC Venugopal told DNA he is "very confident" that the coalition government is stable and secure. "I had a word with the CM and then with the state president Dinesh Gundu Rao. We will also initiate disciplinary action against the MLA," said Venugopal.
Soon after, senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge issued a gag order on the party MLAs. "They should not react openly to the media. We have all come together to fight the BJP-RSS. It is not advisable for any member to speak against the wishes of the party high command. Such situations create confusion in the coalition," said Kharge.
The Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka has been on a rocky boat ever since it formed the government. Party insiders said that disgruntled MLAs close to Siddaramaiah, have been restless. The expansion and reshuffling of the cabinet, too, has led to disgruntlement.
"The coalition government is in power for the past seven months but not a single work has taken place. It is Siddaramaiah who set up the Kempegowda Development Authority. He should be made chief minister," Somasekhar had said.
The Chief Minister Drama
- Party insiders said that MLAs close to Congress’ Siddaramaiah have been restless
- The expansion and reshuffling of the cabinet, too, has led to disgruntlement
- Former CM Siddaramaiah, rubbished the demand; said there was no question of it
