No one can touch me until Lok Sabha polls are over: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy

As questions over the longevity of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka linger, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday said no one can ‘touch’ him at least till the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are over.

“This coalition government will function with stability. I know, no one can touch me for one year. I will be there at least for one year, until the Lok Sabha election is over. Until then, no one can do anything to me, he said.

Addressing an event in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said he would not remain silent during the period that he has got and would focus on taking decisions for the benefit of the state.

“So in the opportunity that I have got, rather than going into what others have done, what I have done will be my message. in doing this, the environment is also in my favour (with good rains),” he added.

Kumaraswamy’s comments come even his coalition government is dealing with resentment among newly elected Congress lawmakers who were left out during the expansion of the Cabinet .

As the May 12 assembly polls in the state threw up a hung assembly, Congress and JD(S) joined hands to form a post-poll alliance to keep out the BJP, which had emerged as the single largest party.

The Chief Minister also reiterated that he was committed to waiving farm loans and would announce it shortly.

“Dear farmers, let there be no confusion on farm loan waiver. I am fully committed to the loan waiver. I want to ensure it is done scientifically benefiting maximum number of farmers. I am working on the the modalities and will announce it shortly,” Kumaraswamy said in a tweet on his official twitter handle @CMofKarnataka.

Rubbishing reports that questioned his commitment on a farm loan waiver, Kumaraswamy while speaking at the event, said he would “not escape” from his commitment.

On May 30, as opposition and farmers’ bodies stepped up pressure on him to fulfil his pre-poll promise, he had said that the government would arrive at a decision to implement a two-phase scheme for farm loan waiver within 15 days.

The Chief Minister also hinted that the first budget of the coalition government is likely to be presented in the first week of July, even as he hit out at detractors who were questioning the need for the full term budget now.

“Probably during July first week we have plans to present the state budget. A few people are asking why a budget has to be presented as this is a coalition government and it has already been presented (by the Congress government).”

Kumaraswamy has retained the key finance portfolio.