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Amid escalating political tensions in Karnataka, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday issued sharp criticisms against the Congress-led government in the state ahead of the upcoming Channapatna assembly bye-election.
"The people will respond to the opposition's remarks," Kumaraswamy said, addressing what he described as the Congress's weak stance. The minister, who has been actively campaigning with his son Nikhil, likened the election battle to the Mahabharata, portraying Nikhil as the "Arjuna" of the Channapatna contest, prepared to counter the opposition's strategies. "Our supporters and party workers are fully behind Nikhil," he said confidently. Kumaraswamy criticized the state government for neglecting rural areas and farmers, pointing out the government's failure to address their hardships. As monsoon rains ravage parts of Karnataka, flooding reservoirs but also upending lives in rural areas, Kumaraswamy called out the government's inaction and prioritization of political posturing over relief efforts. "Heavy rains have filled reservoirs, and we've even been able to share water with Tamil Nadu, but while our farmers struggle, the government seems to be playing games instead of providing genuine support," he said. He expressed concern over the distress faced by farmers, citing a rise in farmer suicides, as well as the increasing involvement of youth in online gaming and lotteries. "Our young people are falling into these traps, and the drug trade is on the rise. Karnataka's administration has failed to curb these issues, and our people are suffering as a result," he lamented. Kumaraswamy also took aim at Congress's handling of GST allocations, accusing them of policy mismanagement. "This confusion over GST is your doing," he charged. "Didn't you understand it back then?" He also referenced prominent Congress leaders like Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram, saying, "They implemented this together, so how did they not foresee these problems?" Kumaraswamy highlighted JD(S)'s historic influence in Channapatna, casting doubt on Congress's candidate selection. "JD(S) has always been a stronghold here, Our opponents, meanwhile, are facing feuds and contradictions within their ranks," he remarked. Kumaraswamy, accompanied by his wife and family, also sought divine blessings at the Hassanambe and Siddheshwara temples. (ANI)
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