CM misusing State intelligence, alleges HDK

Former Chief Minister and State President of Janata Dal (Secular) H.D. Kumaraswamy has alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramiah is misusing the State intelligence for ensuring electoral gains and said he will complain to the Election Commission against the government and officials on the issue.

Addressing presspersons along with former Minister Basavaraj Horatti and others here on Saturday, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that intelligence reports had indicated defeat for Mr. Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari constituency and so he was “searching for alternative safer constituencies with the help of the State intelligence.”

He alleged that the Chief Minister was trying to misuse his office in Chamundeshwari constituency and was trying to blackmail Opposition leaders.

Mr. Kumaraswamy expressed confidence that his party would come to power with a clear majority. “We will win 45 seats in North Karnataka and 70 seats in the old Mysuru region. We are not trying to defeat candidates of other parties but trying to ensure the victory of our candidates.”

He alleged that Mr. Siddaramaiah had retained his confidant Mr. Kempaiah only for the sake of carrying out election malpractices and he had already complained to the Election Commission on the issue.

On Mr. Siddaramaiah’s accusation that he had escaped from the election scenario, Mr. Kumaraswamy clarified that since he was was not feeling well, he was taking rest in a friend’s house, not for committing any election malpractice.

Referring to the JD(S)-BSP alliance in the State, he said soon former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati would come to Karnataka for canvassing in all the four revenue divisions.

On former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar’s comment about him contesting from two constituencies, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he was doing so because of pressure from party workers. “Mr. Shettar has no moral right to comment on the issue as despite being a former Chief Minister he is depending on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring his victory. Mr. Shettar seems to have forgotten the fact that Mr. Modi too had contested from two constituencies”, he said.