HDK's swearing-in ceremony: Celebration comes with baggage of expectations

Two hours before the swearing-in ceremony heavy rains in Bengaluru almost dampened the spirit of the supporters of HD Kumaraswamy. Fortunately, the Rain God showed mercy and the event went smoothly as planned without any interruption.

Certainly, the JDS supporters outshone Congress party in their celebrations. Also, JDS supporters apparently outnumbered the Congress supporters. But this celebration carries the baggage of huge expectations. They unequivocally believe that HD Kumaraswamy will wave-off farmer loans as promised in the party manifesto.

Keshava Murthy, auto-rickshaw driver from Bengaluru, said, "I am happy for Kumaranna. His first priority should be farmers' loan wave-off. We trust him a lot, he will do the same."

About apprehensions surrounding the alliance government, he said, "You wait and watch nothing will happen. This is alliance will complete the therm."

Kathari Satyanarayana Rao, a BSP candidate from Honnali constituency, said, "Kumaranna has the key to power. I had told my people Kumaraswamy will be the chief minister of Karnataka. Come what may, Kumaranna will become the CM."

"As promised in the manifesto, the priority is farmers' loan wave off. I confident within 24 hours he will wave off loans. Even if it is not possible in initial days, he will do after consultations with the alliance partner."

Amidst the celebrations, one farmer from Bellary district was disappointed with the swearing-in ceremony. N Nagappa, Farmer from Shiraguppa taluk had come to Bengaluru to witness the august ceremony. He pointed that Kumaraswamy did not take oath in the name of farmers.

Nagappa said, "Kumaraswamy did not take oath in the name of farmers, I am disappointed because he forgot to mention farmers today."

"Well, I am a Congress supporter. But have faith in Kumaraswamy that he will save farmers in the state," he exuded confidence.

Timmappa Gowda, a former Gram Panchayat member from Sakaleshapur, said, " I say the heavy rains before the swearing-in ceremony is not a bad omen but as blessings to the new chief minister." Talking about his favourite leader's nature, he said, "We see his father HD Deve Gowda in Kumaraswamy. Kumaranna has a motherly heart, he responds to problems of common man."

Another supporter stood out for a different reason in the crowd of thousands of supporters. Govinde Gowda from HD Kumaraswamy's constituency Ramanagar decorated his Royal Enfield with the party and state flags.

Govinde Gowda and his family have been supporters of JDS chief Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy since days of erstwhile Janata Dal. He said, " I will be with my decorated bullet in all the JDS functions. This way I want to exhibit my love to the party. First of all, he will take up farmers issue and other issues are secondary."

"As a person, HD Kumaraswamy is a down-to-earth man. He won't hesitate to apologise for his mistakes. That's why I like him a lot," he added.