‘Be courageous', says Congress after Kumaraswamy breaks down over coalition

Kumaraswamy broke down at an event in Bengaluru organised by JD (S) to felicitate him for becoming the chief minister.

Bengaluru, July 15: The Congress party has said that Karnakata Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy breaking down before people coalition issues will not send across a "good message" and advised him to face the problems.

Kumaraswamy on Saturday broke down while addressing an event in Bengaluru and talked of the "pain of a coalition government".

"You have to face problems. Simply expressing won't give a good message to people who supported secular parties. Kumaraswamy should be courageous to face such circumstances," senior Congress leader Malikarjun Kharge told news agency ANI.

Kumaraswamy broke down at an event in Bengaluru organised by JD (S) to felicitate him for becoming the chief minister.

In a video tweeted by news agency ANI, is seen wiping his eyes as he talks about his "pain".

"You are standing with bouquets to wish me, as one of your brother became chief minister and you all are happy, but I'm not. I know the pain of coalition government," ANI quoted him as saying on Saturday.

"I became Vishkanth and swallowed pain of this government," said Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru, referring to Lord Shiva swallowing poison for the good of the world.

Despite rumblings of discontent over portfolio allocation and budget proposals, both parties have maintained that the coalition government would complete the full tenure.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara said, "How can he say that? He must be definitely happy, CM has to be always happy, if he's happy we'll all be happy.''

Sensing an opportunity to capitalise on the alleged rift, BJP social media in-charge Amit Malviya said Kumaraswamy was unlikely to give up the CM's chair despite being "humiliated" by the Congress.

Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah was in June was heard in a video expressing doubts about the longevity of the coalition government. Siddaramaiah criticised Kumaraswamy's decision to present a full Budget in July when the previous Congress government had rolled out one in February.