Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said that Congress should not be treat JD(S) as a third grade citizen and must adopt give and take policy in order to put up a united fight against BJP.
Amidst pressure within the coalition government, the partners are expected to hold talks over the seat-sharing issue. The Chief Minister said there should not be any pettiness on both the parties.
Kumaraswamy’s government completes seven months in office and the leader said he would overcome any shortcoming smoothly.
Speaking to a news agency, Kumaraswamy said, “Both of us (Congress-JD(S)) should go together (in Lok Sabha polls) is our opinion. Because the reason behind forming this government (in Karnataka) is to stop the BJP from coming to power and improve the atmosphere in the country.”
When asked if his party would go it alone if the seat-sharing talks fail between JD(S) and Congress, he said, “If Congress loses its way and tries to move with overconfidence, what will happen they will understand, with their past political experience, I do not think they will forget them. They should treat us respectfully. They should not treat us as third grade citizen. There should be give and take policy,” Kumaraswamy said.
For the Lok Sabha polls, out of the 28 seats, JD(S) has demanded 12 and the Congress has expressed its displeasure.
Emphasising that the coalition intends to face the Lok Sabha polls together, he said said leaders of both the parties are expected to discuss and come to a final decision later this month. “There are 28 seats…Congress should take two-thirds and give us one-third, this is what Deve Gowda’s feeling, and I also agree,” he said.
“Some may say that it (coalition) may survive only till parliament elections. I want to say that after the parliamentary election also the government that will be formed in Delhi and the environment that will be created will lead to a situation where the Karnataka government continues to work safely,” the chief minister said.
Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise his government. “I know who BJP is approaching, what they have offered to MLAs. I am collecting all the news and doing whatever (possible) from my side to see to that BJP does not disturb the government.” he said.
Terming the coming together of BSP’s Mayawati and SP’s Akhilesh Yadav as a strong combination, he said it may slow the BJP’s speed in Uttar Pradesh.
“I feel after the results, every one will agree on a common leadership despite differences,” he said when asked about projecting Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate.
Talking about the possible cracks in the anti-Modi front, the Chief Minister said, “I feel a strong combination may emerge against the BJP. I also feel that the ‘mahagatbandhan‘ may emerge as an alternative to national parties.”
Kumarawamy also said the Centre’s move of providing reservation to economically backward among the general category was as a desperate move.