BJP versus BJP in Karnataka: Ministers want minister to quit

BENGALURU: Just days after facing considerable embarrassment over appointing a murder accused to the Wakf board, the state BJP faced more ridicule – from some of its own ministers – after an audio clip in which minister JC Madhuswamy purportedly suggests the government is “not performing well” was widely shared on social media.
Some in chief minister Basavaraj Bommai’s cabinet demanded the resignation of their colleague over his remarks. Horticulture minister Muniratna said Madhuswamy’s comments were unbecoming of a minister. Madhuswamy is law and parliamentary affairs minister. “Madhuswamy is part of the state cabinet and it is improper for him to pass comments against the government which he is a part of,” Muniratna said.
“If he says the government is not working properly, then he is also responsible for it. He should have quit before making such statements. He should resign if he is unhappy with the government’s performance.” The audio clip — of a purported phone conversation between Madhuswamy and one Bhaskar, a resident of Channapatna — was leaked on social media.
During the conversation, the law minister is purportedly heard saying: “Our government is not working. We are only managing because there are only eight months left [for state assembly elections].” This was after Bhaskar called to complain to the minister that cooperative banks were charging farmers Rs 1,300 to renew a loan of Rs 50,000. He sought action against banks for demanding the fee. Madhuswamy is purportedly heard replying: “I know there are these issues. I’ve brought this to the notice of ST Somashekar [cooperation minister].
He is not acting. What to do?” When reporters broached Somashekar, who was in Mysuru, on the issue the minister reacted sharply, lambasting his colleague. He said Madhuswamy is “under the illusion that he alone is intelligent and a knowledgeable minister in the cabinet and he should come out of such an illusion”. Somashekar pointed out that Madhuswamy, after cabinet meetings which are normally held every Thursday, briefs the media on hundreds of programmes across departments which the government is undertaking.
“Did he not know the government was limping? If so, perhaps it is his department since no other department in the state is like that,” Somashekar said, while promising to conduct an inquiry into the issue of cooperative banks fleecing farmers.
‘Stuttering double engine’
Opposition Congress, meanwhile, latched on to the row and ridiculed the government. “What can be a better example of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s inactive administration? Is this minister Madhuswamy’s helplessness an allegation against his own government or disgruntlement towards Bommai’s administration? It’s unfortunate that the ‘double engine’ government is having to merely pull through,” Congress said in a series of tweets. Madhuswamy did not react to the controversy and has stayed away from the limelight since it broke.