Janthakal mining: HDK challenges Yeddyurappa for open discussion

JD(S) state president and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy threw an open challenge to BJP state president by saying that, “If B S Yeddyurappa has the guts, let him come for an open discussion with me.”

Kumaraswamy interacted with reporters after participating in a special puja for Kalabyraveshwara Swami as part of ‘Amavasye’ at Adichunchanagiri in the taluk on Thursday. He said that, “Nobody has the moral right to criticise my 20-month term as chief minister.”

Commenting on a complaint lodged by Venkatesh Gowda to the Income Tax department against his family, Kumaraswamy said, he knows who is supporting Venkatesh Gowda. “By stirring the Janthakal mining issue, they are trying to dig a mountain to trap a rat. They are wasting time as there is nothing in the issue. It seems they have appointed a person only to issue statements against me. A person, who was issuing statements against me in newspapers in a similar way, was made an MLC and also minister. Gowda must be dreaming of getting plum posts and is thus doing what Yeddyurappa says,” he said.

HDK mocks BSY’s handbook

Kumaraswamy ridiculed Yeddyurappa for issuing statements to the media in Haveri that he would soon be issuing a handbook on corruption.

“Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai had made allegations of corruption against B S Yeddyurappa when the latter was busy with KJP. Sadananda Gowda too had issued statements that Yeddyurappa was responsible for rampant corruption in the state. Will all these be printed in the handbook?” he sought to know.

‘A publicity stunt’

With regard to the BJP leaders’ visit to Dalit colonies, Kumaraswamy said that let them visit Dalit’s homes to understand the real problem and try to find a solution. He said, “People will not forgive them if they visit their homes for the sake of publicity.”

Speaking about the general elections, he said, it will not be a surprise if elections are held in the month of December as AICC State in-charge general secretary Venugopal had hinted at the possibility, he said.